Soccer star Ronaldo denies link to Brazil drug ring
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) – Soccer star Ronaldo
denied to Brazilian police on Monday that he had any links to a
drug ring after his name was mentioned in a taped conversation
involving a jailed trafficker.
Ronaldo arrived in Brazil after scoring in a game for Real
Madrid against Cadiz in Spain on Sunday.
He took a helicopter to a police station in Niteroi near
Rio de Janeiro, where police are investigating a drug ring that
supplied ecstasy and other drugs over the Internet,
The conversation taped by police took place between Amon
Lemos, brother of Ronaldo’s former girlfriend Livia Lemos and
who is currently in jail accused of drug trafficking, and
another suspected dealer.
Lemos cited Ronaldo’s name, suggesting he was among
celebrity drug users and his clients.
Ronaldo denied any drug-related links to Lemos and
investigators appeared to be satisfied with his replies.
“Ronaldo had his name and image used inappropriately by
youngsters who sold drugs on the Internet,” investigator Luiz
Marcelo Xavier told reporters.
“He said he knew nothing of Amon Lemos’ connection with
narcotics and that it is very common for people to use his name
to gain status.”
Ronaldo’s spokesman, Paulo Julio Clement, said the star
showed up at the police station willingly and without a lawyer.
“He fulfilled his duty and collaborated with Justice,”
Clement said.
In a separate conversation, published by Istoe magazine,
the kingpin of drug trafficking in Rocinha slum apparently
referred to Ronaldo using his nickname ‘R9′. It suggested that
Ronaldo sent some sports kit to him such as a Nike sweatshirt.
The bugged Rocinha conversations have indirectly implicated
various celebrities, including soccer player Romario, who took
part in a beneficiary game in the slum organized by the drug
lord. Local media said Romario had acknowledged taking part in
the game.
The vast Rocinha slum, is Rio’s biggest drug distribution
spot and its dealers have many rich clients from the
neighboring upscale seaside districts.