Ex-Roma man Radja Nainggolan arrested in drug trafficking probe | OneFootball

Former Roma man Radja Nainggolan is in trouble with the law following his recent move to Belgium’s second division.

The news, like a bolt from the blue, comes a few days after his return to the field with the Lokeren-Temse jersey.

According to Corriere della Sera, citing the local press, Nainggolan was arrested on Monday morning in Brussels as part of an investigation into alleged international drug trafficking.

According to prosecutor Julien Moinil, the investigation concerns the importation of cocaine from South America to the port of Antwerp and its subsequent distribution in Belgium.

During the day, 30 searches were carried out between Antwerp and Brussels.

Nainggolan, now under questioning, is among those arrested.

The prosecutor stressed that, in compliance with the presumption of innocence, no further details will be disclosed at this time.

Again according to local press, during a house search in Antwerp, law enforcement seized his Smart Brabus, an electric sports car, which was located in an underground garage located in Braziliëstraat.

Although the athlete was not present during the kidnapping, the incident attracted media attention, especially considering some of the footballer’s past business connections. His apartment in the Eilandje district of Antwerp is also up for sale.

Nainggolan’s criminal lawyer Omar Souidi, who attended the hearing, is also known for his appearance on the TV show “The Expedition: Namibia”. In the past, Souidi also played a key role in the footballer’s transfer to Antwerp.

Nainggolan’s business partners include I. A., who has previously been involved in a major cocaine trafficking scandal. In 2016, I. A. was convicted in the United States for drug trafficking, linked to an operation run by the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

Despite this, Nainggolan defended his partner, saying that his past mistake should not affect his future life, as “he is very good at his new job”.

Recently, actress Barbara Sarafian had insinuated a link between Nainggolan and drugs during a participation in “De Slimste Mens”, triggering a furious reaction from the footballer, who rejected the accusations in his Instagram stories, threatening legal consequences.

The case has turned the spotlight even more on the figure of the footballer, between controversial affairs and media accusations.