Igwebuike Linked to Drug Case : Pro football: Viking kicker reportedly is under investigation for alleged involvement with heroin smuggling.

Minnesota Viking kicker Donald Igwebuike is being investigated in connection with drug-smuggling allegations, ABC News reported Tuesday.

ABC reported that the U.S. attorney’s office in Tampa, Fla., has “irrefutable evidence” linking Igwebuike to an attempt to smuggle heroin into the United States from his native Nigeria.

His name surfaced about two weeks ago when a Nigerian was arrested by customs agents at the Orlando, Fla., Airport, ABC said. The Nigerian, a school teacher, had 31 small bags of heroin in his stomach, authorities said.

The ABC report quoted law enforcement officials as saying that Igwebuike bought the alleged drug courier’s ticket and participated in phone conversations that indicated he was aware of the deal.

Igwebuike worked out with the Vikings at their Eden Prairie practice facility Tuesday. ABC said he confirmed that he was the subject of an investigation, but wouldn’t answer specific questions. Igwebuike told the reporter to talk to his attorney.

In a statement released by the Vikings, Igwebuike’s attorney, Larry E. Reed, said he had listened to a recording of a telephone conversation between his client and the Nigerian teacher.

“It was in the Nigerian language. I had it translated and there was no mention of drugs on the tape. I saw all the documents. I saw all the evidence and there is nothing to connect Donald to the case,” Reed said. Reed did not respond to messages to call the Associated Press for further comment.

U.S. Customs officials obtained a search warrant Tuesday for Igwebuike’s apartment in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington, ABC said. Igwebuike, 29, spent five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Vikings signed him this season.

“We have not been contacted by federal authorities. We have talked with Donald Igwebuike and his attorney about the matter. We have contacted the National Football League and they are looking into the allegations,” the Vikings said in a prepared statement Tuesday evening.

The Vikings said any decisions on Igwebuike’s playing status would be made by the NFL.