Belgian footballer Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking sting

Radja Nainggolan, a Belgian football player, has been taken into custody in connection with a drug trafficking investigation.

After a number of raids were conducted throughout Belgium on Monday morning, the 36-year-old was one of several suspects that Belgian police detained.

“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium”, the Brussels prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Six days after Nainggolan left his position with Lokeren in the Belgian second division, Nainggolan was arrested.

He scored on his debut, giving his side a point in their 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.

Born in Antwerp, the midfielder spent most of his career in Italy, playing for both Roma and Inter Milan.