Quincy Promes, a former Dutch international footballer who was a target for Manchester United, has been sentenced to six years in prison in absentia for drug trafficking.
The Amsterdam District Court ruled that the 32-year-old – who plays in the Russian Premier League with Spartak Moscow – was involved in the import and export of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in 2020.
Promis, who lives in Moscow, did not attend his trial in the Dutch capital, and is not expected to return to the Netherlands in the foreseeable future.
Prosecutors had asked judges to sentence him to nine years in prison for his involvement in smuggling 1,360 kilograms of cocaine through the port of Antwerp in Belgium. Belgium to Holland In two shipments.
The court said that the phone taps showed that Promis was directly involved in drug shipments hidden in salt shipments from Brazil, and in their transportation from the port.
Promises for Spartak Moscow in the Europa League in 2021. Photo: AP
The court added in a written ruling that Promes was involved in drug imports despite being a highly paid footballer with legions of fans and followers on social media.
“This makes it even more objectionable that the suspect is trying to increase his wealth (and perhaps also his standing in certain circles) by becoming involved in large international drug transfers,” the court said.
Promes' lawyers told judges he denied allegations of importing, exporting, transporting and possessing drugs.
They told Dutch newspaper AD that the footballer will appeal the ruling against him.
In another case before a Dutch court, he was sentenced in absentia last year to 18 months in prison for assault, in connection with a fight in 2020 in which he stabbed his cousin in the knee.
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Promise also filed an appeal against this ruling.
The former Ajax and Sevilla striker played 50 matches and scored seven goals for the Dutch national team, but was expelled from the team after being accused of trafficking in 2021.
