Ex-Celtic striker Anthony Stokes arrested over possession of cocaine

Former footballer Anthony Stokes was arrested in Dublin following a short car chase, which reportedly ended with him and the passenger abandoning the car and attempting to run away.

The ex-Arsenal and Celtic striker was involved in a short police chase along with a passenger before running and being detained, as the car they were in contained £4000 worth of cocaine.

The former Republic of Ireland striker failed to score in his 9 international appearances during his career, and was questioned by detectives after being arrested recently.

Stokes kicking football

The vehicle was targeted in what the Gardai are describing as 'an intelligence led operation'.

A Garda spokesperson spoke to MailOnline: "Gardai arrested two men (aged in their 30s) in the early hours of Friday morning in relation to incidents of dangerous driving in Dublin 12.

"A quantity of drugs was also recovered from the vehicle.

"Both men were detained in Crumlin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and have been charged in relation to this.

"They have since been bailed and are due to appear before court at a later date."

The Irishman came through Arsenal's academy, making one appearance for them in the League Cup before leaving permanently for Sunderland in 2006.

Stokes is best known for his time at Celtic, where he managed 76 goals in 191 appearances before moving on at the start of the 2015/16 season.

The former striker has not been short of troubles off the pitch elsewhere too, with the Irishman being convicted of assault during his career in 2013 and also being convicted of stalking his ex-girlfriend and her mother in 2019, towards the end of his career.

Stokes during his time at Celtic. Image: Alamy

It's not the first time this week that a footballer has found themself in trouble with the law, after being found with cocaine on their person.

In France, Martinique international Jean-Manuel Nedra was arrested after 100 kg of cocaine was found in his luggage when arriving in Charles de Gaulle airport.

The midfielder's club, Aiglon du Lamentin, put out a statement, saying, ""Without knowing his degree of involvement, we learned that one of our players was arrested at Roissy for drug smuggling.

"Let us be stronger than ever and united to continue our work of education through sport, to fight against this scourge, to protect and alert our young people to the risks, consequences and abuses of this environment."