Former Colombia football player Jhon Viáfara has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on drug trafficking charges. The 42-year-old former footballer was sentenced by a federal court in the U.S. state of Texas.
"The accused in this case had everything - world fame, property, and status. Nevertheless, he used his talents to promote evil by the drug trade," said a statement from Prosecutor Nicholas Ganja.
Viáfara was extradited to the U.S. in January last year. In November, the defendant pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and said he was involved in a deal that led to the smuggling of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. The investigation lasted more than three years. According to the court decision, Viáfara was a member of a criminal network involved in drug trafficking in 2008-2018.
Jhon Viáfara played for the Colombian national team from 2003-2010. In 2004, he won the Copa Libertadores Cup with Once Caldas.