Former Premier League defender Ronnie Stam has been accused of involvement in a major drug trafficking operation, allegedly smuggling two tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of £48 million.
Stam, who played for Wigan Athletic and FC Twente, appeared in court in Breda, Netherlands, on Tuesday alongside his brother, Rudi. Prosecutors allege the pair were part of a drug network that imported large quantities of cocaine from South America in 2020 and 2021.
If convicted, Stam could face up to 13 years in prison and a fine of £1.5 million.
He was arrested in June 2023 along with his parents, brother, and girlfriend, and has remained in custody since. Investigators claim to have uncovered encrypted messages between Ronnie and his brother that detail drug shipments, including photographs of cocaine.
According to The Sun, Stam defended his financial status in court, stating that his wealth stemmed from his career in professional football. However, he reportedly admitted to involvement in the importation of 20kg of cocaine from Brazil to Germany in 2020, while denying further participation in any drug trafficking.
Stam enjoyed a respectable football career, playing for clubs including Wigan Athletic—where he was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2013—FC Twente, Standard Liège, and NAC Breda.
In a previous court hearing in September 2024, prosecutors claimed Stam was linked to the trafficking of over 2,200 kilograms of cocaine. “This case concerns hundreds of kilos of cocaine each time,” one prosecutor said. “I contend that Stam was a major player in the drugs world.”
As part of the ongoing investigation, Dutch police conducted raids in June across six properties and a camper van, seizing approximately £85,000 in cash. Authorities also confiscated three homes, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches, and various pieces of jewellery.
The case remains under investigation, with further proceedings expected in the coming months.
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