Former Belgium international Radja Nainggolan charged in cocaine trafficking probe

BRUSSELS (AP) — Former Belgium international Radja Nainggolan has been charged with participation in a criminal organization as part of a probe into cocaine trafficking, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office said Tuesday.

The prosecutor’s office said the 36-year-old Nainggolan was released on conditions. His next court date was not specified.

The investigation focuses on the alleged importation of cocaine from South America via the port of Antwerp and its redistribution in Belgium, the office said.

Nainggolan's arrest had been announced Monday after federal police carried out searches in the province of Antwerp and in and around Brussels. They said they seized 2.7 kilos (nearly 6 lbs) of cocaine along with cash and luxury items. Sixteen arrests had been made.

It was not immediately known if Nainggolan has legal representation to respond.

After several months without a club, Nainggolan came out of retirement to play for second-tier Belgian team Lokeren-Temse. He celebrated his debut with a goal straight from a corner kick last weekend.

Nainggolan has made 30 appearances for Belgium but has not played for the Red Devils since March 2018.

The central midfielder spent most of his career in Italy, notably playing for Roma and Inter Milan.

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FILE - Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada, left, goes up against Royal Antwerp's Radja Nainggolan during the Europa League group D soccer match between Royal Antwerp and Frankfurt at the Bosuil Stadium in Deurne, Belgium, Sept. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)