Former Premier League star goes on trial accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine

Ex-footballer Curtis Warren facing trial

FORMER Premier League star Curtis Warren is due to go on trial today accused of smuggling two tonnes of cocaine into the UK.

The ex-Liverpool, Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers player is accused of being part of a multi-million pound drug-smuggling ring.

Warren, 52, was arrested in 2020 along with six other men and two women as part of an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Police seized two tonnes of cocaine

The NCA alleges that the group smuggled the drugs into the UK via Liverpool docks, hidden in containers of bananas.

Police seized around two tonnes of cocaine during raids on properties across the north-west of England.

The drugs have a street value of around 100 million pounds.

Warren denies the charges

Warren, who played as a striker, denies the charges of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of goods.

He is due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

Warren was a promising footballer

Warren was a promising footballer who started his career at Liverpool in the late 1980s.

He made his debut for the Reds in 1989 and went on to make 50 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals.

He also played for Manchester City, Tranmere Rovers and Chester City.

He has been in trouble with the law before

Warren has been in trouble with the law before.

In 1996, he was jailed for three years for assault.

In 2009, he was jailed for 13 years for his role in a multi-million pound money-laundering operation.