Diego Maradona’s ‘Son’ Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Argentina

LA PLATA (Azat TV) – Santiago Lara, a man who gained notoriety for claiming to be the secret son of late football icon Diego Maradona, has been arrested in La Plata, Argentina, on drug trafficking charges. The arrest, which also involved Lara’s biological father, Marcelo Lara, and a third suspect, marks a significant development for an individual previously in the spotlight for his disputed connection to the legendary footballer.

Police conducted a raid in La Plata, approximately 40 miles south-east of Buenos Aires, seizing a substantial cache of narcotics. Among the items confiscated were cocaine, cannabis resin, ecstasy, and crystal meth, alongside weighing scales, seven mobile phones, and cash, according to reports from The Sun. Marcelo Lara has reportedly been identified as the alleged leader of the drug trafficking operation, with Santiago Lara implicated as an accomplice.

Diego Maradona’s ‘Son’ Arrested in La Plata Drug Bust

Santiago Lara first garnered public attention in 2016, at the age of 15, when rumors surfaced that he was Maradona’s alleged sixth child. He claimed his mother, a former model who passed away from lung cancer in 2006 at 23, had maintained an on-off seven-year relationship with the Argentine football maestro. Lara recounted the shock of seeing himself in a magazine, which led to his biological father, Marcelo, explaining the situation and admitting he had doubts about his own paternity. Marcelo Lara reportedly stated that a DNA test had been requested previously but was never carried out.

Following Diego Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020, Santiago Lara made a highly publicized request to have the World Cup winner’s body exhumed for a paternity test. However, DNA tests conducted eight months later conclusively came back negative, disproving his claims of being Maradona’s son. A mugshot released after his recent arrest showed a distinctly different appearance compared to the image of the young man who made the sensational claims a decade prior.

Disproven Paternity Claims to Diego Maradona

The arrest underscores a stark contrast between Lara’s past attempts to associate himself with one of the most celebrated figures in sports history and his current entanglement with serious criminal charges. Diego Maradona, born in Lanús, Buenos Aires, in 1960, became a global superstar, leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986 and achieving immense success with clubs like Napoli. His career, while brilliant, was also marked by controversies, including a 15-month ban for cocaine possession and a suspension during the 1994 World Cup for testing positive for ephedrine.

The alleged drug trafficking scheme, reportedly operated by Marcelo Lara with Santiago Lara’s assistance, is said to have run in La Plata and the nearby town of City Bell. Authorities are also investigating whether drugs were being distributed within the prison system, suggesting a potentially broader network of illicit activities. The third individual arrested alongside the Laras was identified locally as Maria Jose Boren, a prison worker.

Alleged Drug Ring Led by Biological Father

This incident unfolds amidst ongoing legal proceedings related to Diego Maradona’s death. A new trial concerning his passing, initially slated for last May but collapsed due to a judge’s involvement in a documentary about the case, is now expected to commence on March 17. Eight individuals, including Maradona’s former medic Leopoldo Luque, face charges of homicide with possible intent after the football legend died from heart failure in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, shortly after being discharged from hospital following a brain clot.

The arrest of Santiago Lara, once a figure seeking a genealogical link to sporting royalty, now highlights a descent into criminal activity, creating a poignant and unfortunate postscript to a story that began with claims of a famous lineage.