Kolkata, March 20: India"s highest paid overseas footballer Jose Ramirez Barreto was held at the Kolkata airport for failing to declare USD 19000 in his poccesion.

The Brazillian soccer star, who was due to board a Dubai bound flight, could not produce the required doccuments when he was detiend by the customs officer. The 31-year-old striker enjoys an iconic status in Kolkata, where he plays for Mohun Bagan. The influential play maker joined the Kolkata giants in January this year and is reportedly payed in the tune of Rs 60 lakhs annualy, which is highest for any Indian footballer.

This is his second stint at Bagan. He had earlier played for the club from 2004 to 2006 before switching over to Mahindra United.

The club officials were immediately dispatched to the airport to bail him out.

The soccer star has had a squeaky clean image so far, and this is perhaps the first time that he has been caught on the wrong foot.