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Former Belgian international soccer player Radja Nainggolan, widely recognized for his stints with teams including AS Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, has been detained in Brussels as part of a major probe into cocaine trafficking. Run primarily by the Belgian Federal Judicial Police, the operation centers on the illegal traffic of cocaine from South America via the port of Antwerp.
Around 30 planned raids ran across Antwerp and Brussels provinces on the morning of January 27 by law enforcement personnel. Among the several people apprehended were Nainggolan, 36 years old. To help the ongoing inquiry, authorities have taken multiple assets including electronics and cars.
Represented by Prosecutor Julien Moinil, the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Nainggolan’s detention but stopped short of giving more information on the basis of the presumption of innocence and the ongoing nature of the investigations. Moinil said: “In line with the presumption of innocence, no further information will be given at this point.”
Nainggolan’s legal adviser, Omar Souidi, admitted the arrest and stressed that his client is presently under investigation. Souidi noted, “The interrogation is ongoing, so in relation to the legal process and Radja’s rights, we will not be making any further statement at this point.”
Nainggolan has run afoul of the law before this episode. Antwerp authorities caught him without a valid license in October 2022, an offense that followed a previous event in 2021 when he was driving under the influence and exceeding speed restrictions.
Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Radja Nainggolan has had a distinguished football career. Before making a major difference at Cagliari, he started his professional career in Italy with Piacenza. He moved to AS Roma, where his play made him an essential midfielder. Later runs consisted of returning to Cagliari and playing with Inter Milan. Nainggolan scored six goals in 30 starts for the Belgium national team abroad.
Nainggolan emerged from retirement to play for Belgian club Lokeren-Temse in January 2025, therefore resuming his career after a brief break. Equally remarkable was his first appearance—directly from a corner kick he scored, therefore exhibiting his long-lasting field talent.
The present inquiry stresses the resolve of the Belgian government in dismantling drug trade-related organized crime syndicates. The emphasis is still on stopping the flow of drugs into Europe, especially via main entry points like Antwerp harbour.
The pertinent agencies will give more information as the inquiry goes on. People are urged to keep in mind how critical the presumption of innocence is and to absolutely wait for the result of the court hearings before forming any judgments.
