Former Ajax forward and Dutch international Quincy Promes has been sentenced to a six-year prison term for his involvement in a significant cocaine smuggling operation.
The operation, which took place in January 2020, saw over 1,350 kilograms of cocaine intercepted in Antwerp, Belgium, hidden within a shipment purportedly containing sea salt from Brazil.
Promes, who currently plays for Spartak Moscow, was at the heart of the criminal investigation, facing allegations of smuggling cocaine in two separate batches weighing 650kg and 713kg each.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed Promes’s guilt, along with that of a 32-year-old co-suspect, for importing, exporting, transporting, and possessing the illicit substance.
The sophistication of the operation was evident in the concealment method, as the drugs were hidden within shipments of sea salt from Brazil, highlighting the international scope of the criminal enterprise.
Despite the severity of the charges, Promes did not attend his trial, prompting prosecutors to comment on his perceived belief in his invincibility, both in Russia and abroad. Prosecutors noted a troubling detachment from the legal consequences of his actions.
Initially facing a demand for a nine-year sentence from Dutch authorities, Promes was accused not only of investing in the drug trade but also playing a significant role in its organizational hierarchy.
Promes’s fall from grace is stark, considering his illustrious career in professional football, which saw him represent Ajax and the Netherlands on the international stage before joining Spartak Moscow.
However, his journey has been marred by legal troubles, including a previous 18-month sentence for stabbing his cousin.
The case has prompted discussions within the football community about the challenges athletes face when transitioning away from professional sports and the allure of illicit activities.
Promes’s descent from football fame to criminal infamy raises questions about his career’s future and legacy, leaving many to ponder how a once-celebrated national hero could stray into such a dark path.
