Deandre Ayton Held at Bahamas Airport Over Marijuana Reports and Released Without Charges

Deandre Ayton was stopped by police at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday. This is the first time the 7-foot player has been stopped by police this season.
By Newsroom | Basketball, Bahamas |

Deandre Ayton, a well-known basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, was briefly held at an airport in the Bahamas on Tuesday. Reports suggest this happened due to suspicion of having marijuana. While he was later set free, the exact facts about what happened are not fully clear. Some news stories say he was arrested, but his lawyer strongly says this is not true. This event brings public attention to how local laws are put into practice for famous people and the different accounts that can arise from a single event.

Lakers' Deandre Ayton 'detained at airport in Bahamas on suspicion of marijuana possession' - 1

Event Overview

On Tuesday, Deandre Ayton was at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. He is a local of the Bahamas. Reports from different news groups, including Reuters and TMZ Sports, state that airport workers or police held him for a short time. The reason for this action was suspicion linked to marijuana.

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Lakers' Deandre Ayton 'detained at airport in Bahamas on suspicion of marijuana possession' - 2

  • Who: Deandre Ayton, a 7-foot player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was picked first in the 2018 NBA Draft. He averages 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds this season.

  • What: He was held or detained by authorities.

  • Where: Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas.

  • When: Tuesday. Specific date not provided in most reports, but articles are from February 17, 2026.

  • Why: Alleged marijuana possession or being seen smoking marijuana.

  • Result: He was released. No official charges were filed, based on some reports.

Evidence Summary

Various reports detail the event, often citing Ayton's lawyer, Devard Francis, or sources close to the situation.

Lakers' Deandre Ayton 'detained at airport in Bahamas on suspicion of marijuana possession' - 3

  • TMZ Sports stated that the Central Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed Ayton was searched. They noted he was allegedly spotted smoking weed on the premises and released after the search came up empty. (Article 1)

  • Devard Francis, Ayton's lawyer, told Reuters that Ayton was not arrested and only briefly detained before being released. He also stated that the marijuana had been in someone else's bag. (Article 2, 4)

  • Reuters, citing two sources, reported that Ayton had been arrested and detained after being found with marijuana. (Article 2, 4, 6)

  • Other reports, like News18 and Devdiscourse, repeat these different accounts, noting the lawyer's denial of an arrest. (Article 3, 5, 7)

  • No statements from the Royal Bahamas Police Force or the Los Angeles Lakers were found in some reports. (Article 5)

Airport Incident Details

Reports confirm that Deandre Ayton was stopped at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. This happened on Tuesday. One report suggests the Royal Bahamas Police Force searched him because he was allegedly spotted smoking weed inside the airport. After a search, he was released. No marijuana was found in his possessions, according to this report. Another report says he was held on suspicion of being in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

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Lakers' Deandre Ayton 'detained at airport in Bahamas on suspicion of marijuana possession' - 4

The Question of Arrest

A key point of difference in the reports is whether Deandre Ayton was "arrested" or "detained."

  • Ayton's lawyer, Devard Francis, stated clearly to Reuters that his client was never arrested. He said Ayton was only held for a short time and then let go.

  • However, Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the event, reported that Ayton had been arrested and detained because marijuana was found.

  • The difference between being detained (held for questioning) and arrested (taken into custody with intent to charge) is important. Official sources have not fully clarified this point publicly.

Marijuana Possession Claims

The suspicion centered on marijuana. Reports give different ideas about this:

  • One news outlet, TMZ Sports, reported that a search of Ayton's things came up empty for marijuana. This suggests no drugs were found on him directly.

  • Devard Francis, the lawyer for Ayton, said that if marijuana was involved, it had been in someone else's bag, not Ayton's.

  • Other reports, citing anonymous sources, suggest Ayton was found with marijuana. This contrasts with the lawyer's statement and the TMZ report.

Player Status and History

Deandre Ayton is a key player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. At the time of this event, Ayton had missed recent games for the Lakers. Records show he missed a game last Thursday due to a right knee issue. He was listed as "day-to-day" around this time. His basketball career details, like his points and rebounds per game, were also mentioned in some news stories reporting on this event.

Conclusion

On Tuesday, Deandre Ayton, a player for the Los Angeles Lakers, was held for a short time at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. This action came from suspicion related to marijuana. While reports agree he was released without being charged, the details vary. His lawyer stated Ayton was only detained and not arrested, and any marijuana was in "someone else's bag." Other news sources, citing unnamed contacts, said he was arrested after marijuana was found. The Royal Bahamas Police Force reportedly conducted a search which, in one account, found nothing. The full facts about what exactly happened during his detention, and the specific reasons for the differing accounts, are not completely known from the provided reports.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Deandre Ayton stopped at the Bahamas airport on Tuesday?
He was stopped because people thought they saw him smoking or carrying marijuana. Police at Lynden Pindling International Airport searched him but let him go quickly because they found no drugs on him.
Q: Was Deandre Ayton arrested for having drugs in the Bahamas?
No, he was not officially charged with a crime. While some news reports used the word "arrested," his lawyer says he was only held for a short time and then allowed to leave.
Q: What did Deandre Ayton's lawyer say about the airport incident?
His lawyer, Devard Francis, said that Ayton did not do anything wrong. He explained that any marijuana found was actually in a bag belonging to someone else, not the basketball player.
Q: Is Deandre Ayton still playing for the Los Angeles Lakers after the airport event?
Yes, he is still a member of the team and averages 13.2 points this season. He has been resting a sore knee recently, but this event has not changed his job with the Lakers.
Q: Did the police find any marijuana on Deandre Ayton during the search?
No, reports from TMZ Sports say the search "came up empty," meaning they found nothing. He was released because there was no proof he had illegal drugs on his person.