Mauricio Vergara had loaded the drugs into his laptop computer carrying case, a camera bag and a suitcase which was checked through to Argentina, where he had planned to attend a conference on sports medicine.

Hands cuffed, the 34-year-old doctor kept his head tucked to his chest when police pulled him in front of television cameras for display -- a traditional custom in Colombia following high-profile narcotics arrests.

Vergara could face at least eight years in prison for attempting to traffic cocaine worth an estimated $20,000.

The doctor treated Maradona in the Colombian city of Cali for weight loss last year, helping him lose several kilos so he could play a tribute match in Buenos Aires. Maradona himself has had problems with drug addiction.

The doctor recently said he had offered his services to help Real Madrid soccer star Ronaldo trim weight.