Ex-Real Madrid player arrested in cocaine trafficking probe

Former Real Madrid player Edwin Congo was arrested this week in Spain as part of an investigation into a cocaine trafficking ring.

Congo, 43, was detained in Madrid and released after questioning.

"I'm calm. It's not a comfortable situation," the ex-Colombian international said during an appearance on Spanish television, as translated by Alex Kirkland of ESPN. "They asked me a series of questions and after that, I returned home. They showed me photos of people I had been introduced to. The police told me I should stay away from people who aren't good for me, that I need to do things a different way.

"They asked me if I was connected to cocaine trafficking. I don't have anything to do with it. I do business with one of the people in the photos, but with emeralds," he continued.

"I've tried to make a living via this friend, who is the one who has the connection. He was someone who was helping me. I'm calm because I don't deal cocaine, I don't have cocaine at home."

Congo joined Real Madrid in 1999 from Colombian side Once Caldas, but he never made an official appearance for the club, spending multiple seasons out on loan at various European teams.

He left the Spanish capital in 2002 and joined Levante, for whom he went on to make over 100 appearances.