Former Southampton and Portsmouth midfielder Jhon Viafara has been arrested in his native Colombia on a US drug warrant, officials said.

Viafara was arrested along with four other people near the southern city of Cali after being involved in a car accident.

Police said he was speeding while driving intoxicated.

Jhon Viafara (pictured in 2005) has been arrested in his native Colombia on a US drug warrant

#LaFoto El exfutbolista Jhon Viáfara tras ser capturado por el delito de narcotráfico. El jugador es pedido en extradición por Estados Unidos #MañanasBLU https://t.co/WGzjCQI0cg pic.twitter.com/n1K3hm3vOE — BluRadio Colombia (@BluRadioCo) March 20, 2019

Reports in Colombia suggest authorities began to monitor Viafara in 2017 after being tipped off about his alleged involvement in 'sending almost four tonnes of cocaine to the United States.'

Viafara is suspected of being a member of a local drug cartel and, after gathering sufficient evidence, a US court issued an extradition request for him and four accomplices.

The Sun claim they are 'wanted for drug trafficking between 2008 and 2018' by the State of Texas District Court.

The ex-Southampton and Portsmouth midfielder was arrested along with four others near Cali

The 40-year-old played for several Colombian club teams and the national team in his career

The 40-year-old played for several Colombian club teams and the national team, as well as Portsmouth, Southampton and Spain's Real Sociedad, before retiring in 2015.

Colombia's booming cocaine trade has sometimes lured football stars who in retirement struggle to maintain the lifestyle they grew accustomed to in their playing days.

A month ago, former national team defender Diego Leon Osorio was convicted for distributing narcotics.