Former Belgium international arrested in drugs trafficking probe
Former Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp.
The Brussels prosecutors office said on Monday that thirty searches were carried out in the Antwerp province as well as in and around Brussels, and that Nainggolan was among those taken into custody.
No further information was given as the investigation and questioning are ongoing.
The probe relates to the smuggling of cocaine from South America to Antwerp and its redistribution in Belgium, the authorities said.
Nainggolan, 36, won 30 Belgium caps. He spent most of his club career in Italy at clubs including Roma and Inter Milan.
He is now at Belgian second division side Lokeren-Temse, who said on Monday they learnt of the investigation via news reports.
"We can only confirm that the player didn't take part in training this morning," Lokeren-Temse said. "The club respects the presumption of innocence and so cannot comment further."
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