Belgian TikTok star and bodybuilder, Frank De Tank, who has been living in Kenya with his 22-year-old girlfriend has been arrested for alleged drug trafficking.
De Tank, popular by his TikTok handle, Frank Murugi, was apprehended and repatriated to Belgium to answer charges in what may be one of Belgium's biggest trials. De Tank was accused of unlawfully raising Ksh452 million( EUR3.5 million).
Boasting over 1 million followers on Tiktok, the Belgian was further accused of being the main suspect in a drug trafficking case in which several individuals were accused of illegally importing nearly 2 tons of cocaine into Belgium through the Port of Antwerp between 2015 and 2016.
De tank and 29 other suspects, believed to be his accomplices, appeared in court on Thursday, February 10, during the beginning of the trial, where he was expected to take plea and face charges.
"The Belgian justice is indicting the suspects in connection with the illegal import of two tons of cocaine from South America in 2015 and 2016. The four main suspects are Frank 'de Tank' V and three others', multiple Belgian media houses reported.
Formerly a dock man at the port, the Belgian was said to have recruited other 'dock workers' who helped smuggle cocaine into the monarchy.
He, however, became an overnight star sharing his new lavish life on social media. In 2017, he was nabbed by Belgian cops after he hopped from one supercar to another, from Ferrari to Porsche to Lamborghini. He also had an excursion in Venice and the Maldive Islands.
Police thus questioned his source of funds and the lavish lifestyle he portrays on social media pages.
Apart from the police, the bodybuilder was also reported to have crossed paths with alleged gangs, who placed a target over a disagreement concerning a consignment worth Eur400,000 (approximately Ksh51 million).
The father of two moved to Kenya, where he met his current 22-year-old girlfriend. According to the media, the two have been together for five years.
However, he sired the two children with his former wife.
On TikTok, De Tank is famous for dancing on the beach to covering his lover's entire body with Euro notes of an unknown value.
The arrest has sparked a debate online with questions being raised on the rising cases of relationships between young Kenyan girls and wealthy foreigners.
In November 2021, an account with Ksh102 million for one Felista Njoroge, a student at Nairobi Technical Training Institute (NTTI), was frozen after her Belgian boyfriend, Merc De Mesel, deposited the amount.
Felista, through her lawyers, told relevant investigation agencies that the money was a gift from the Belgian, channeled towards her investment projects.
Another account for Tebby Wambuku Kago, a friend to Felista Njoroge was also frozen after Ksh102.8 million was deposited by Merc De Mesel.
