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Soccer star Ronaldo denies link to Brazil drug ring

Posted on: Monday, 29 August 2005, 11:31 CDT

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.

Source: REUTERS

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