Ghanaian-born Togo defender Eric Akoto has been arrested for allegedly being in possession of herbs believed to be marijuana in Austria.
The 34-year-old, who was part of the Togo squad at the 2006 World Cup, was arrested alongside other Africans in a Police raid last Thursday.
The former Austria Bundesliga player was suspected to part of a group which was being monitored for the past four months over the trafficking of at least 50 kilograms of marijuana.Â
Akoto is now in custody with the other men after he was arrested and handcuffed following the operation code-named "4-4-2.com" which has seen some of the suspects partially confess.
The defender, who is officially on the books of Austria Klagenfurt, could be jailed for many years if he is found guilty.
Police investigations are ongoing but the arrested gang could be arraigned before an Austrian court early next week to face charges of illegal possession of narcotics.
Akoto started his football career in Ghana where he played for Liberty Professionals before eventually moving to Austria in 1998.
He switched nationality to play for Togo at the international level where he was part of the Hawks squad at the 2006 World Cup.
The former Austria Wien man was also part of the Togo team that infamously came under gun fire attack a day before the start of the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.