Ex-Premier League Player Ronnie Stam Faces 13 Years for Smuggling £48m Cocaine to Netherlands

Former Premier League defender Ronnie Stam, known for his time at Wigan Athletic and FC Twente, is on trial in the Netherlands accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine worth approximately £48 million from South America. Stam and his brother Rudi face serious charges, with prosecutors seeking a 13-year prison sentence and a fine of about £1.5 million for Ronnie, while Rudi could face six years and the same fine. Evidence presented includes encrypted phone messages and photos of cocaine shipments between the brothers, implicating them in drug trafficking activities in 2020 and 2021. Ronnie Stam admitted involvement in a 20-kilogram cocaine shipment to Germany but denied further participation, attributing his wealth to his football career. Stam has been in custody since his arrest in June 2023, with the trial verdict expected in August. His football career highlights include winning the Eredivisie with Twente and being part of Wigan's 2013 FA Cup-winning squad, although he missed the final match due to injury.