An athlete who was disgraced when he tested positive for cocaine at this year's Bermuda International Race Weekend, has been accused of being at the centre of an international drugs ring.

Dutch runner Neals Strik, who finished third in the half-marathon during January's showpiece sporting event on the Island, has been in prison in Holland since February facing allegations of international smuggling and establishing a network of juvenile dealers in his hometown.

The long-distance runner and his father (also an ex-athlete and now trainer) are accused of smuggling cocaine from Guatemala to the Netherlands. They are on remand until their trial which is scheduled for November 24.

Sources told The Royal Gazette that Dutch police are also accusing the Striks of being part of a "criminal organisation" which smuggled ecstasy to Thailand.

In addition, the younger Strik is alleged to have established a network of juveniles who sold drugs for him around his hometown.

The Dutch athletics federation is said to be "quite secretive" regarding Strik's doping offence though they have confirmed he is provisionally suspended.

Federation officials have indicated they do not want to speak on the issue until they hear from Strik himself.

Strik was among two athletes to fail drug tests after the race weekend.

The other was marathon winner Luiz Carlos Ramos of Brazil, who has already been stripped of his title.

Of the hundreds of runners who took part in the four races, some 24 were selected to take tests, specifically for performance-enhancing drugs.

The testing was carried out by Benedict Associates on behalf of the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports and the results analysed at a laboratory in Montreal, Canada.

International Race Weekend offered $25,000 in prize-money this year as well as bonuses for record performances.