AN undercover police detective who infiltrated a drugs ring discovered Newcastle United stars were using cocaine, a court heard.
The officer said he was told by a convicted dealer that former Toon striker Faustino Asprilla, 37, right, was “involved in the supply of drugs”.
The Colombian star’s pal Osmiro Mendez, 38, was accused of being involved in a plot to flood the UK with cocaine from his native South America.
During Asprilla’s two years at the club Mendez attended training sessions and was pals with ex-boss Kevin Keegan, 56, and
former United and England striker Alan Shearer, 35, a jury heard.
Though Newcastle Crown Court heard there was no suggestion either of them were involved in the drugs world, it was alleged some of Shearer’s former team-mates were users.
Drug ring “Mr Big” George Youness, who was yesterday convicted of supplying 1.5 kilos of cocaine, told the undercover officer Newcastle players were users.
He told the policeman that a notorious Geordie dealer supplied them with cocaine.
Yesterday Youness, 51, was jailed for 17 years after he was found guilty of nine charges, including conspiracy to supply cocaine and supplying the drug.
The same jury cleared Mendez of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
The court heard an undercover detective known only as “Vinny” infiltrated the drugs ring.
His inquiries revealed football stars and top businessmen were regularly being supplied with cocaine.
Asprilla was at meetings with villains who were secretly planning to forge links between Colombian drug cartels and Britain, the court heard.
Giving evidence with his face hidden to protect his ID Vinny told the jury a restaurant boss jailed for dealing drugs told him ex-Colombian star Asprilla, now back in his native country, was involved in the illegal trade.
Vinny said Youness introduced him to fellow Newcastle drug dealer Alan Fisher.
The officer told the court: “Youness said Fisher supplied the top Newcastle footballers and businessmen with cocaine.”
The prosecution alleged Mendez, whose dad once coached Asprilla, acted as a middle man linking Colombian drug contacts in London with dealers in Newcastle.
But he insisted he was an innocent pal of Asprilla’s who had come to Britain to help him adapt.
Mendez, who lived in Consett, Co Durham, told the jury: “I was going to training sessions.
“I was very friendly with all the players including Alan Shearer and the trainer who was called Kevin Keegan.”
Sentencing Youness Judge Michael Cartlidge said he was “devious, deceitful, dishonest, greedy, selfish, and ruthless”.
The officer said he was told by a convicted dealer that former Toon striker Faustino Asprilla, 37, right, was “involved in the supply of drugs”.
The Colombian star’s pal Osmiro Mendez, 38, was accused of being involved in a plot to flood the UK with cocaine from his native South America.
During Asprilla’s two years at the club Mendez attended training sessions and was pals with ex-boss Kevin Keegan, 56, and
former United and England striker Alan Shearer, 35, a jury heard.
Though Newcastle Crown Court heard there was no suggestion either of them were involved in the drugs world, it was alleged some of Shearer’s former team-mates were users.
Drug ring “Mr Big” George Youness, who was yesterday convicted of supplying 1.5 kilos of cocaine, told the undercover officer Newcastle players were users.
He told the policeman that a notorious Geordie dealer supplied them with cocaine.
Yesterday Youness, 51, was jailed for 17 years after he was found guilty of nine charges, including conspiracy to supply cocaine and supplying the drug.
The same jury cleared Mendez of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
The court heard an undercover detective known only as “Vinny” infiltrated the drugs ring.
His inquiries revealed football stars and top businessmen were regularly being supplied with cocaine.
Asprilla was at meetings with villains who were secretly planning to forge links between Colombian drug cartels and Britain, the court heard.
Giving evidence with his face hidden to protect his ID Vinny told the jury a restaurant boss jailed for dealing drugs told him ex-Colombian star Asprilla, now back in his native country, was involved in the illegal trade.
Vinny said Youness introduced him to fellow Newcastle drug dealer Alan Fisher.
The officer told the court: “Youness said Fisher supplied the top Newcastle footballers and businessmen with cocaine.”
The prosecution alleged Mendez, whose dad once coached Asprilla, acted as a middle man linking Colombian drug contacts in London with dealers in Newcastle.
But he insisted he was an innocent pal of Asprilla’s who had come to Britain to help him adapt.
Mendez, who lived in Consett, Co Durham, told the jury: “I was going to training sessions.
“I was very friendly with all the players including Alan Shearer and the trainer who was called Kevin Keegan.”
Sentencing Youness Judge Michael Cartlidge said he was “devious, deceitful, dishonest, greedy, selfish, and ruthless”.
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