Spanish police have arrested a former West Bromwich Albion player following a drugs raid. The incident took place in Riviera del Sol, an area between Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
Local police had initially confirmed the arrest earlier this week. However, they did not reveal the identity of the individual.
Later reports from Spanish outlet Sur (via The Sun) described the suspect as a 47-year-old British national who spent most of his career at West Bromwich Albion.
So far, they have not named the former footballer. After a targeted operation, the police made the arrest.
Police were carrying out surveillance at the Las Terrazas Shopping Centre in Mijas after noticing suspicious activity.
Officers observed people entering and leaving the premises before stopping one individual. They found him carrying a heat-sealed bag of cannabis. That discovery led to a further search.
Officers entered the premises and identified the person in charge. Inside, they found a large quantity of drugs, including cannabis and hashish.
Also, they found cash and equipment for preparation and distribution. As a result, the police made the arrest on suspicion of an offence against public health.
Authorities confirmed that the seized items included over 1kg of cannabis, 865g of hashish, and thousands of euros in cash, along with packaging materials and digital scales.
The investigation is still ongoing. It is not yet clear whether the former footballer has appeared before a judge or been released on bail. Local officials have also commented.
Juan Carlos Cuevas, deputy mayor for Mijas, praised the police operation. He highlighted the importance of preventive surveillance in identifying and addressing such situations quickly.
Further details have also emerged. According to reports, the premises involved did not have the required licence to operate.
For now, the identity of the former West Brom player remains undisclosed. And until official confirmation arrives, the case continues to develop.
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