By Victor Kanayo
A 36-year-old footballer and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan, is currently under investigation in a cocaine trafficking scandal after he was arrested.
This was disclosed by the Brussels prosecutor’s office in a statement on Monday.
According to AFP, police arrested several suspects, including the footballer, after conducting a series of morning raids across the country.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors stated without providing further details.
The Antwerp-born player came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side, adding a final chapter to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team.
He had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week.
During his illustrious playing career, he professionally featured for Italian clubs, including Cagliari, Inter Milan, and Roma.
He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp but left the club in 2023.
