Football: 1,363 kg of imported cocaine, stabbing… a former Ajax player sentenced to six years in prison

Quincy Promes played for Ajax Amsterdam between 2019 and 2021. ANP – Maurice van Steen

Dutch international striker Quincy Promes, who plays for Spartak Moscow, was sentenced to six years in prison for smuggling more than a tonne of cocaine into the Netherlands, the court said district of Amsterdam, this Wednesday February 14.

The president of the court, Mr. Vaandrager considered that Promes had played "a crucial role" in the importation of 1,363 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil in 2020, via the Belgian port of Antwerp to the Netherlands, with the help of an accomplice.

The latter, found guilty of the same charges, as well as money laundering, was also sentenced to six years in prison.

The judgment is based in particular on telephone tapping and encrypted messages, which the player sent under the pseudonym "Fantasma".

Six years of imprisonment

Prosecutors had requested a nine-year prison sentence for Promes, who has pleaded not guilty and will appeal, according to his lawyers.

Mr. Vaandrager argued in his judgment that the striker, who also played for Ajax Amsterdam, was an example for many, especially young people, because of his footballing talents.

"The suspect regularly makes headlines, is active on social media and has fans around the world", the judge said

"It's all the more serious that he tried to increase his wealth.. . by participating in significant international drug trafficking (…) All things considered, the court considers that a sentence of six years' imprisonment is appropriate."

A first conviction for knife attack

Fearing of being arrested by the Dutch police, the 32-year-old, who has 50 caps with the Oranje, was not present at the Dutch district court ;Amsterdam to hear the sentence, a spokesperson told AFP.

Placed under international arrest warrant, he has so far not been extradited by Russia.

Promes has also already been sentenced to 18 months in prison in connection with another case, for stabbing a cousin over a stolen necklace.< /p>