Former La Liga star Koke faces 16 years in prison and huge fine for ‘leading cannabis crime ring’
A FORMER La Liga footballer faces 16 years in prison after being accused of allegedly leading a drug trafficking ring.
Sergio Contreras, 39, better known as Koke, also faces a huge fine.
Spanish news agency EFE report Koke is accused of leading a drug trafficking network that transported narcotics across Europe.
And Mundo Deportivo report that he is facing a fine of £130,000.
Koke will be one of 17 defendants when the trial gets underway at Provincial Court in Malaga next Monday.
The others are reportedly accused of committing crimes against public health and possession of weapons.
Mundo Deportivo say the other defendants face sentences ranging from one year to four years and six months behind bars.
While the same source claim cannabis was the most common drug allegedly trafficked by the group.
The former striker came through the ranks at Spanish side Malaga, scoring on his debut for the club in 2003.
He later had spells with the likes of Marseille, Sporting, and Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
He also played for clubs in Azerbaijan, Bolivia and India.
But Koke was best known for his tenure at Greek outfit Aris, enjoying two spells with the club.
In 2011 the striker enjoyed a brief cameo against Manchester City, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 Europa League defeat to the Etihad outfit.
Edin Dzeko netted twice before Yaya Toure scored a third, with Koke emerging from the bench during the second half.