Brazil striker questioned over alleged drug links

RIO DE JANEIRO - Controversial Brazilian striker Adriano was questioned by authorities in Rio on Wednesday over allegations of links to a drug-dealing gang that has been accused of murdering police officers.

Adriano faced questioning after he failed to appear at a police interview Monday in connection with the allegations, sending his lawyer instead to ask for a delay. He finally appeared with lawyer Adilson Fernandes and emerged an hour later without comment.

Allan Turnowski, head of Rio’s civil police, said Adriano had been questioned to “clarify some points of the enquiry, as in the case of any citizen.”

The striker, who missed the cut for Brazil’s World Cup squad, is set to head for a week’s holiday on Sardinia at the weekend before heading off to join Roma for pre-season training in July. Adriano is suspected of being involved in financial dealings with members of a drug gang run by Fabiano Atanasio da Silva in the Vila Cruzeiro favela. Da Silva has been accused of being involved in the shooting down of a police helicopter on October 17, 2009, an incident which led to the deaths of three police officers.

AFP