Martinique footballer arrested with 100 kilos of cocaine at Charles de Gaulle airport
An international footballer and his partner were arrested in France, after being caught with 100 kg of cocaine in their luggage on arrival.
Martinique's Jean-Manuel Nedra, who has played for the national team for 10 years, was arrested on Sunday in Paris, after being found with the drugs at Charles de Gaulle airport.
The Aiglon du Lamentin midfielder was presented to an investigating judge on Wednesday, according to French outlet Le Parisien.
Nedra has been kept in 'pre-trial custody' as he awaits his trial, whilst his partner was released under 'judicial supervision.'
Advert
"Without knowing his degree of involvement, we learned that one of our players was arrested at Roissy for drug smuggling," the player's club said.
"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."
The player is said to have been travelling in a 'personal capacity' when he and his wife were arrested.
Ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, fans were warned that they risked facing the death penalty if they chose to bring drugs into the Middle East country.
At very least they told the punishment would be 'severe,' even if the death penalty was only for repeat offenders, with life time in prison also a possibility.
"There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences," the government's website said, "The penalties for the use of, trafficking, smuggling and possession of drugs (even residual amounts) are severe.
"Punishment can include lengthy custodial sentences, heavy fines and deportation. Many people transit via Hamad International Airport on their way to other destinations."
However, British fans clearly heeded the warning, as neither England fans or Wales fans were arrested throughout the tournament in Qatar.
"The behaviour of England and Wales out in Qatar was absolutely exemplary," the head of the UK Football Policing Unit said after the tournament.
However, not all fans arriving for the competition listened to the rules, with officials confirming that someone was arrested after being found with drugs.
The person is said to have arrived in Qatar with 1,990 pills of Tramadol and 464g of Hashish, with officials reiterating that the punishment would be severe.
Ryan Sidle