Former Roma Star Nainggolan Linked to Cocaine Smuggling Probe

Radja Nainggolan, a former Roma and Inter Milan player, has been detained in Belgium as part of a cocaine trafficking investigation, with his business connections also under scrutiny.

Former Roma, Inter, and Cagliari player Radja Nainggolan, 36, has been detained in relation to a drug trafficking investigation being conducted by the Belgian police. He is currently undergoing interrogation.

Nainggolan has been playing in his homeland, Belgium, and recently scored a crucial goal that earned a draw for his team, Lokeren-Temse, last weekend. This notable performance came after his impressive comeback in the second division following his return to Belgium.

According to reports from the Belgian press, Nainggolan is allegedly involved in an investigation for drug trafficking. The Indonesian-born footballer is at the centre of an investigation being conducted in Antwerp and Brussels.

Prosecutor Julien Moinil was the first to speak, revealing details about the investigation. “The investigation is based on alleged facts of cocaine importation from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp, and distribution in Belgium. In compliance with the presumption of innocence, no further information will be provided.”

Moinil further explained that Nainggolan's arrest was part of a broader investigation into organized crime, specifically focusing on the distribution of cocaine in Belgium. He also mentioned that the federal judicial police in Brussels carried out 30 searches on Monday morning as part of a file of the organized crime department of the Brussels public prosecutor's office.

The searches took place mainly in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels. Regarding Nainggolan's involvement, Moinil stated, “We can confirm that the footballer R.N. (Radja Nainggolan, ed.) was deprived of his freedom as part of that file. As the interrogations are currently ongoing and in compliance with the principle of the presumption of innocence, no further comment will be given at this stage.”

Former Belgium international Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America, the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office said.

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Nainggolan's Business Connections Under Scrutiny

One of Radja Nainggolan's business partners has previously been linked to cocaine smuggling, according to Belgian media reports. In 2016, the individual, referred to as 'I. A.', was convicted in the United States for unloading 1,100 kilos of cocaine at Deurne airport on the orders of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah.

Nainggolan had previously commented on his business partner's past mistakes, stating, “The fact that you made a mistake in the past does not condemn you to have to pay for your whole life. He is simply very good at his (new) job.” Notably, both I. A. and Nainggolan have invested in The Aviation Factory Rad Lab, a company that rents out luxury villas and private jets to international footballers and DJs.