The Brussels police arrested former AS Roma star Radja Nainggolan because he was involved in cocaine trafficking between South America and Europe.
Antwerp and Brussels police conducted morning raids in 30 residences to support their investigation efforts on Monday local time. The police service took Radja Nainggolan into custody as one of those arrested.
According to the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office the drugs entered Belgium on a cocaine trafficking route through Antwerp’s port facilities.
“House searches took place mainly in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels. The investigation concerns the alleged fact of importing cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” The Belgian Prosecutor said.
The examining magistrate scheduled further questioning for the following morning Tuesday which caused Nainggolan to stay in prison overnight according to his attorney Omar Souidi.
His client represents professional football at a level surpassing criminal involvement according to Nainggolan’s attorney.
Nainggolan’s club Lokeren-Temse announced a statement to confirm his absence from Monday morning training.
The club chose to respect Nainggolan’s presumption of innocence while declining to provide additional statements.
Nainggolan joined Lokeren-Temse in the Belgian 2nd division following his departure from Indonesian club Bhayangkara FC at season’s end.
He has competed for prestigious European teams across many top divisions including Italy’s elite clubs.
The beginning of Nainggolan’s football career led him to Piacenza followed by playing time at Cagliari then AS Roma and ultimately ending at Inter Milan.
His football journey led him from Antwerp through SPAL to both Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia FC and most recently Lokeren-Temse.
In his club career Nainggolan played in 582 matches while scoring 67 goals. With Inter he gained success in both the 2020-2021 Italian League title and the 2022-2023 Belgian League crown.
