Radja Nainggolan "has been arrested in Belgium for drug trafficking".
The news was reported Monday morning by Belgian news sites, which released a note from the Brussels Prosecutor's Office. The former Cagliari, Roma and Inter midfielder is accused of "international drug trafficking".
As part of the investigation , around thirty searches were carried out between Antwerp and Brussels . The 36-year-old footballer, who had just joined Lokeren (a team in the Belgian second division), was questioned by investigators .
The “Ninja” was reportedly expected at training, but he didn't show up and his absence raised questions among the team staff , until news of his arrest hit the news.
"Nainggolan's arrest is part of a broader investigation into organised crime, focused on the distribution of cocaine in Belgium ," the federal prosecutor's office said, adding that "in compliance with the presumption of innocence, no further information will be provided."
The investigation, explained Brussels prosecutor Julien Moinil, "is based on alleged facts of cocaine importation from Latin America to Europe via the port of Antwerp and distribution in Belgium."
"The club has learned from the media that the player Radja Nainggolan will be questioned as part of an investigation," the club of the player's new team wrote in a statement. "The club respects the presumption of innocence and therefore cannot comment further. We can only confirm that the player was absent from training this morning. The club wishes to focus solely on tomorrow night's important recovery match against KAS Eupen. Radja Nainggolan will not be able to play in that match," the statement added.
(Online Union)
