Ex footballer Anthony Stokes arrested in Dublin

A former international footballer has been charged after being arrested by Gardai in Dublin following a short car chase with cocaine worth an estimated £4,000 in the glove box.

Anthony Stokes, 34, who played two minutes in a league cup match for Arsenal was detained in Dublin after he and a passenger allegedly attempted to run from the car containing the drugs.

Gardai followed Stokes and his passenger through Dublin's southside before the pair abandoned the car and tried to escape on foot.

The former Republic of Ireland striker, who failed to score in nine appearances for his country, was arrested a short time later and questioned by detectives.

The car was targeted in what gardai are describing as 'an intelligence led operation'.

A Garda spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Gardai arrested two men (aged in their 30s) in the early hours of Friday morning in relation to incidents of dangerous driving in Dublin 12.

'A quantity of drugs was also recovered from the vehicle.

'Both men were detained in Crumlin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and have been charged in relation to this.

'They have since been bailed and are due to appear before court at a later date.'

A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Stokes spent much of his professional career in Scotland, playing for Celtic and Hamilton. He also had brief spells with a number of lower profile teams, including Sunderland.