Colombia's former national football team player Jhon Viafara is escorted upon arrival in Bogota after being arrested in suspicion of drug trafficking, as member of a cartel sending drugs to the United States, on March 20, 2019. - The 40-year-old former midfielder was one of five people detained on the eve in the western city of Jamundi and Medellin, in a joint operation between the public prosecutor's office and the judicial police and could be extradited to face charges in the United States, the public prosecutor's office said. (Photo by Diana Sanchez / AFP) (Photo credit should read DIANA SANCHEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Former English Premier League football star, Jhon Viafara has been slapped with an 11-year prison sentence for smuggling cocaine into the USA.
The former Southampton midfielder and ex-Colombia international was jailed Thursday in a federal court in Texas.
The 42-year-old – who made 83 appearances for the Saints between 2006-08 – was extradited to the US in January 2020.
In November, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import 5kg or more of cocaine into the country.
He was accused of being the kingpin in an operation that used speed boats and small planes to send the drug into America from Colombia via Mexico.
‘The defendant in this case had it all, worldwide fame, wealth, and stature – despite all of this, he chose to use his talents to advance the evil of the drug trade,’ said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei.
‘Traffickers should take note, no matter who you are; no matter where in the world you live; the United States will prosecute you if you join in a conspiracy to send drugs to our country.’
Viafara played for 10 clubs during his career, including Premier League sides Portsmouth and Southampton. In 2004, he helped Colombian team Once Caldas win the Libertadores Cup – South America’s top club competition.
He made headlines earlier this year after Colombian police released images of him at Bogota’s international airport being escorted to a small jet headed for Texas.
The ex-midfielder, whose alias is ‘El Futbolista’, spoke to reporters before boarding the plane to the States of his time behind bars.
He said: ‘I used to share a changing room with Messi, but now I’m having to share a room with somebody who has been at war in our country.’
He also played for several Colombian club teams and the national team, as well as LaLiga side Real Sociedad, before retiring in 2015.
Colombia’s booming cocaine trade has sometimes lured football stars who in retirement struggle to maintain the lifestyle they grew accustomed to in their playing days.
Last February, former Colombia national team defender Diego Leon Osorio was convicted for distributing narcotics.
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