Adriano questioned over alleged drug links

Brazilian football star Adriano appeared before a prosecutor on Wednesday and denied accusations of associating with a top Rio de Janeiro drug gang, state officials and Adriano's lawyer said.

 Brazilian prosecutors had said that there were strong indications that the Brazilian football star had transferred a large sum of money to a notorious drug lord held responsible for the downing of a police helicopter last year.

State prosecutors have requested the judge give them permission to examine data from the player's bank accounts and telephones.

Prosecutors said they were focusing on the alleged transfer last December of $33,000 from Adriano to a drug lord wanted by police.

"The Public Ministry considers extremely serious the facts that have made the player a suspect and there are strong indications that he has transferred money to the drug trafficker Fabiano Atanasio da Silva," the prosecutor's note read.

Officials are also looking into conspiracy to sell illegal drugs and the possession of unlawful weapons by organized crime groups as part of the investigation – though there was no indication Adriano was involved in those aspects of the case.

Adriano has denied any wrongdoing. He did not speak to the press after talking with prosecutors. After-hours calls to the office of the attorney who accompanied him to the prosecutor's office were not returned.

Adriano has not been charged with any crimes, and it was not clear what charges he could possibly face.