Brazil great Pele's son sentenced to 30 years in prison over drug money

Posted Monday, June 02, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

ONE OF Brazil legend Pele's sons has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for laundering drug money.

Brazil great Pele's son sentenced to 30 years in prison over drug money
TEARS: Pele's son Edinho (right) has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for his involvement with a vicious drug cartel

Edson Cholbi Nascimento, known as Edinho, is accused of being involved with an infamous drug cartel led by Ronaldo "Naldinho" Duarte Barsotti.

The 43-year-old admits buying drugs from the gang but denies working with them.

He has pleaded not guilty the charges and will be allowed to stay out of prison pending his appeal.

Pele broke down in tears in 2005 after the extent of his son's drug problems were revealed.

Edinho attempted to follow in his father's famous footsteps and played for his old team Santos briefly in the 1990s.

The Praia Grande criminal court in Sao Paulo also sentenced three other defendants to 33 years' jail and ordered the confiscation of all property seized in the police operation against them, including nearly 100 cars.

Pele, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has seven children.

The 73-year-old is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time and won three World Cups with Brazil.