Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Cassidy has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in orchestrating a drug trafficking operation from South America to the United Kingdom. Cassidy, who once played alongside Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher in Liverpool’s youth team, aged 46, has been handed a 13-year and 3-month prison term after admitting to his role as a “kingpin” in a large-scale cocaine transportation network from South America to Europe.
The operation also involved Jonathan Cassidy (aged 50), Jamie Cassidy’s brother, and Nasar Ahmed (aged 51). This criminal syndicate facilitated the transportation of hundreds of kilograms of drugs into Liverpool. Jonathan, sentenced to 21 years and 9 months in prison, pleaded guilty to importing Class A drugs, supplying Class A drugs, and conspiring to conceal, disguise, transfer prohibited goods.
Similarly, Jamie Cassidy also pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs and conspiring to conceal, disguise, transfer prohibited goods.
Jamie Cassidy’s case has sent shockwaves through the English football community as he was once regarded as a highly promising talent in the realm of British football. He was a close friend of Carragher during their time in Liverpool’s youth team. In Carragher’s autobiography released in 2008, it was noted that “Jamie Cassidy could have become a star for Liverpool if not for enduring too many injuries.”
Jamie Cassidy was part of the Liverpool youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1996, alongside Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher. During that time, Jamie and Liverpool defeated the West Ham youth team, which included Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand in its lineup. Additionally, Jamie was also a core member of the England U16 team.
However, persistent injuries plagued Cassidy’s career, which began in 1977. After his contract with Liverpool expired in 1999, Jamie moved on to Cambridge United, but his career spiraled downward rapidly. What’s unfortunate is that Jamie chose the dark path of a drug offender.