Ex-Inter & Belgium player detained in cocaine trafficking operation

Radja Nainggolan, a former midfielder for Inter and Roma, has been taken into custody in connection with a Belgian cocaine trafficking investigation. 

Belgian police are believed to have arrested the 36-year-old following several separate operations throughout the nation. 

According to the Associated Press, investigators discovered 2.7 kilograms of cocaine, luxury goods valued at over €500,000, and more than €350,000 in cash during 30 searches conducted Monday morning in the Antwerp province and the surrounding area of Brussels.

After a comparable length of time at Cagliari, Nainggolan played four years at Roma from 2014 to 2018, before moving on to current Serie A winners Inter. in the time of the transfer, he was among the most well-known midfielders in the nation, but he was unable to make a name for himself in San Siro. 

The feisty star recently signed with second-tier Lokeren, who found out about his incarceration through media reports, to conclude a protracted absence from the game.

"The club honors the presumption of innocence and for that reason cannot provide further comments," a statement from the club indicated. "We can only affirm that the player did not attend training this morning." The team will keep its attention on the important league game against KAS Eupen scheduled for tomorrow. Radja Nainggolan is not permitted to participate in that game regardless. 

According to the public prosecutor's office in Brussels, 16 people have been taken into custody. The investigation is centered on the alleged importation of cocaine into the nation from South America to Antwerp shipping ports. 

Despite having 30 Belgium caps, Nainggolan hasn't played for the country in six years. He was named to the Serie A squad of the year in each of his four full seasons at Roma, and he has two major accolades to his name: the 2020–21 Serie A triumph and the 2022–23 Belgian Pro League title.