Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Samir Nasri has been arrested as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the drug trafficking kingpin known as 'Wild Boar'. The ex-France international was questioned for approximately ten hours on Thursday by French police, according to Le Parisien.
Investigation Details
Nasri, now a pundit for Canal Plus, was released Thursday evening without charge, and no legal proceedings have been initiated against him. The questioning was part of a major probe into suspected drug importation, criminal conspiracy, and organized money laundering of drug trafficking proceeds.
Investigators are examining alleged links between Nasri and a criminal network surrounding Hakim Berrebouh, nicknamed 'Wild Boar', a drug trafficker imprisoned since 2021. The case also involves Olivier Sabbah, known as 'Paulo', described as a key figure in a money laundering network connected to Berrebouh's activities.
Role of XS Nightclub
Police are scrutinizing Nasri's alleged involvement in organized money laundering through XS nightclub in Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne. Nasri became a shareholder in the venue around 2016 after investing a few hundred thousand euros while earning millions at Manchester City. He later became co-owner alongside Bilele Z., a loyal client who was also taken into police custody on Thursday.
The investigation focuses on the period between 2021 and 2023, with detectives examining claims that large sums of cash were removed from the venue. According to preliminary evidence, Berrebouh's wife allegedly visited the nightclub multiple times to withdraw substantial amounts of money while her husband was incarcerated.
Nasri's Connection to Berrebouh
Nasri's alleged ties to the Berrebouh family date back to his childhood in Marseille, where he was reportedly close to Karim Berrebouh, Hakim's older brother. The former France international, who earned 41 caps between 2007 and 2013, is said to have reconnected with Berrebouh in Dubai during the first lockdown in 2020.
Investigators claim Berrebouh later suggested that Nasri take a financial stake in XS, but the agreement allegedly remained verbal and was never formally documented. During his police custody, Nasri reportedly maintained that he believed he had sold all his shares in the nightclub to Berrebouh.
Previous Questioning and Potential Charges
This latest police grilling follows Nasri's earlier questioning in Marseille in late June as part of the same investigation. The former Les Bleus star could face further questioning regarding a potential formal indictment, though currently no charges have been filed against him.
