Colombian former Southampton midfielder, Jhon Viafara, has been delivered to the US to face drug smuggling accusations. He was extradited from his home country to the US.
According to prosecutors in Texas, Viafara is accused of collaborating with members of the Gulf Cartel to orchestrate cocaine shipments from Colombia using speedboats.
The 41-year-old, who was arrested last year on a US drug warrant, is accused of trafficking two tonnes of cocaine worth £21 million into the United States.
Photos released by Colombian police show officers escorting him to a small jet at Bogota’s international airport, which was bound for Texas.
Prior to boarding the plane to the US, the former football star expressed his experiences of being imprisoned in his country to reporters.
He stated: ‘I used to share a changing room with Messi, but now I’m having to share a room with somebody who has been at war in our country.’
The former Colombian international, who retired from football in 2015, has played for various clubs including Southampton, Real Sociedad, Portsmouth, and La Equidad.
