Adriano Drug Trafficking-Related Charges Dropped by Rio Judge

Former Brazilian national striker Adriano was charged on Tuesday in connection with drug trafficking in his home town of Rio de Janeiro.

Continue for updates.

Update from Friday, Nov. 7

Adriano Charges Dropped

Judge Maria Tereza Donatti has dropped charges against Adriano due to a lack of evidence.

Reuters reports the latest, via Eurosport:

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Prosecutors had alleged that the 32-year-old former Inter Milan, Flamengo and Corinthians player bought a motorbike for a Rio drug traffickerto use in criminal activities in 2008.

However, judge Maria Tereza Donatti said in a statement that there was not enough evidence to go to trial and closed the case.

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Update from Tuesday, Nov. 4

Adriano Charged in Connection with Drug Trafficking

According to an Associated Press report (via USA Today), Adriano was charged after purchasing a motorcycle for a drug dealer. The charges come with up to a 10-year prison term, though it's unclear whether he will stand trial. A judge will make a ruling on the veracity of the charges at an undisclosed date.

As noted by the AP report, Adriano's connection to Rio's drug trafficking circles has been previously investigated: "Several years ago, prosecutors had requested a probe into Adriano's purchase of the motorcycle, which allegedly was registered in the name of the drug dealer's mother and was used for drug trafficking."

Adriano, who last played a spell for Atletico Paranaense earlier this year, is currently without a club team. He was said to be negotiating with Le Havre of France's second division and indicated an agreement was imminent. 

“I'm 99 percent sure I will play at Le Havre," Adriano said, per Mark Doyle of Goal.com. "I had some problems in the past, I made some mistakes, but the joy I feel with a ball on a football pitch is stronger than anything else."

It's unclear whether these charges will halt negotiations.

A gifted striker who was once seen as one of the world's up-and-coming talents, Adriano, 32, has fallen on tough times of late. He has bounced around the globe since leaving Inter Milan a half-decade ago, including stints in Italy and his native Brazil. He's appeared in only three total matches since 2012.

In 48 caps for Brazil's national team, Adriano scored 27 goals. He was most notably part of Brazil's quarterfinalist outfit at the 2006 World Cup.

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