A former West Bromwich Albion footballer has been arrested on Spain's Costa del Sol following a targeted police drugs operation, according to official reports. The 47-year-old ex-player was detained after officers intercepted him leaving a shopping centre in the Riviera del Sol area, situated between Marbella and Fuengirola.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
Police allegedly found the man carrying a heat-sealed bag containing cannabis. Subsequently, authorities searched a nearby property he had just vacated, uncovering a substantial cache of narcotics and related materials.
Police Statement and Evidence
A statement released on Monday by Mijas Local Police, under whose jurisdiction Riviera del Sol falls, confirmed the arrest. It detailed that surveillance on the afternoon of March 10 led officers to notice suspicious activity at premises within the Las Terrazas Shopping Centre.
The intercepted customer, identified as the former footballer, was found with purchased cannabis. Upon searching the premises, police arrested the person in charge on suspicion of an offence against public health.
The seizure included:
- 1,170 grams of cannabis
- 865 grams of hashish
- 164 pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes
- €3,469.90 and £225 in cash
- Packaging materials and digital scales
All items were confiscated and transferred to Civil Guard premises.
Official Commentary and Background
Juan Carlos Cuevas, deputy mayor of Mijas and police councillor, emphasised that the operation resulted from ongoing preventive surveillance to address community safety concerns. "A police presence and ongoing surveillance enable us to detect this type of situation and act swiftly," he stated.
While police confirmed the arrest earlier this week, they did not initially disclose the suspect's age or nationality. The former footballer has not been publicly named, and it remains unclear whether he has appeared before an investigating judge or been released on bail pending further investigation.
Additional reports from local media indicate the premises allegedly operated by the arrested man lacked proper licensing. The Las Terrazas Commercial Centre, a hub for British tourists and expatriates, features various amenities including a supermarket, restaurants, and a gym.
