Former Wigan Athletic defender Ronnie Stam has been accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine into the
Netherlands.
If found guilty, the 40-year-old could face 13 years in prison.
Stam appeared in front of a Dutch court in Breda on Tuesday alongside his 43-year-old brother, Rudi, where they were accused of shipping cocaine from South America to the Netherlands in 2020 and 2021.
Prosecutors revealed they discovered evidence of the drug shipments via encrypted chats sent between the brothers on their phones.
The prosecution added pictures of cocaine were seen in the exchange of messages between two.
The public prosecutor requested for Stam to be jailed until 2038 along with a €1.7million (£1.44m) fine over his role in the alleged crimes.
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Rudi could face just six years in prison as well as the same fine should he be found guilty as well.
Stam confirmed to the court he was part of a 20kg shipment to Germany in 2020.
However, he denied any further participation in the alleged crimes.
He was first taken into custody upon being arrested last June.
Stam arrived at Wigan from Dutch side FC Twente in July 2010.
At Twente, Stam won the Eredivisie under Steve McLaren for the first time in the club’s history.
His performances during the successful 2009/10 campaign saw Stam named Twente’s Player of the Season.
Following his switch to Wigan, Stam went on to make 73 appearances across all competitions for the club and was a part of their triumphant FA Cup squad in 2013.
He featured in the third, fourth and fifth rounds of the competition but remained an unused substitute for their quarter-final and semi-final clashes against Everton and Millwall respectively.
The Dutchman was left out of the matchday squad for the final due to injury as the Latics secured a stunning 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Wigan were relegated in what proved to be Stam’s final season at the club.
Following Wigan’s relegation in 2013, Stam joined Belgian club Standard Liege on a free transfer.
He spent three seasons with the Belgian side before he returned to NAC Breda, the club where he began his professional career.
talksport.com
2 Comments
Omo crack money pass football money ooo..even oil money self.. don’t play…. lmao
Mokey yaish abi wat?
You see how fullish yuh really are? So for de crack biznis wey yuh dey involve in, wuna dey collect anyting from between £150k to £300k per week – every week without fail come rain , shine, hail, police raid , customs bust or any circumstance at all whatsoever kagwanni?
Mehn yuh are a really mumu man! he be like say yur hatred of Osi9 don dabaru yur medula oblangata finish lmaaoo.
Kwasia!!