Former Inter & Roma Midfielder Arrested For Drug Trafficking Allegations
Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been unveiled in a disappointing probe since he was arrested on Monday morning over his involvement in cocaine dealing. The 36-year-old was among those arrested during a series of synchronized police operations throughout the country of Belgium.
It has emerged that the case is centered on narcotics transportation from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp and distribution within the country. The Brussels prosecutor’s office has since acknowledged the probe, but they have not released any more information about it, which raises more questions.
His arrest comes as a major twist just days after his return to professional football. The former Belgium international was only out of retirement and joined Lokeren, a second-tier team, and scored on his first match for the team to end in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
Nainggolan was born and brought up in Antwerp but rose to prominence as a player of Serie A teams with reputed clubs such as Roma and Inter Milan. Famously aggressive when embroiled in a match, the player represented the Belgium national team for the first time in 2009 and continued his international career through to 2018, when he received his final cap.
This is the reason why many were shocked when one of the best footballers in the world was arrested recently. This has now implicated Nainggolan’s on-and-off football future as the investigation progresses thus putting a shadow to his career.