Why Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday afternoon
Former Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
Several individuals, including Nainggolan, were arrested after police carried out a series of raids across the country, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The investigation is focused on the alleged importation of cocaine from South America to Europe via Antwerp, with the drugs then being redistributed within Belgium.
No further details have been released at this time.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-tier club Lokeren, following a long career that included 30 appearances and six goals for the Belgian national team. He had been without a club since last summer before signing with Lokeren last week.
Nainggolan made an impressive debut for Lokeren, scoring in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse over the weekend.
The midfielder, known for his tattoos and off-field antics, previously played for top Italian clubs Cagliari, Roma, and Inter Milan, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. He left the club in early 2023 after being suspended for smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.