Former Premier League star Ronnie Stam faces major drug charges
Ronnie Stam, a former Premier League star, appeared in court, accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine and money laundering. Dutch police arrested Stam and four family members in June this year, after intercepting suspicious transactions from 2021 and 2022.
Ronnie Stam, a 40-year-old former Wigan Athletic player who played in the English Premier League for three seasons, found himself at the centre of a criminal scandal. The Dutch court in Breda reviewed the charges against him concerning the smuggling of 2,200 kilograms of cocaine. The investigation into this case began when local police intercepted suspicious drug transactions conducted in 2021 and 2022.
The case is gaining more attention because, in addition to Stam himself, four members of his family have also come under legal scrutiny, accused of being complicit in criminal activities. They were all arrested on the same day.
According to "The Sun," during the search of six properties and a motor home, officers found $105,000 in cash, three properties, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches, and jewellery. Currently, only Stam remains in custody.
Ronnie Stam accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine
According to the prosecution, Ronnie Stam was one of the leading figures in the criminal world of drug trafficking. Despite this, his defence lawyer requested Stam's release pending trial, arguing that further detention is unjustified. However, the judge rejected this request, expressing concern that Stam might attempt to flee to Dubai, where his brother resides.
The former footballer, who won the Dutch championship with Twente under Steve McClaren in 2010 and later moved to the Premier League for approximately $3,280,000 CAD, now faces the biggest challenge of his life, far from the sporting arenas. Ronnie Stam, whose football career has long taken a backseat, now grapples with serious legal charges that could forever change his life.
Ronnie Stam's career beginnings date back to the early 90s. His home club is NAC Breda, where he also played for the first five years of his senior career. He played as a defender. In 122 matches, he scored two goals for them. He then moved to Twente, for which he made 57 appearances. From 2010 to 2013, he played for Wigan Athletic, and from 2013 to 2015, in Belgium's Standard Liège. He ended his career at NAC Breda.
