Spartak Moscow forward Quincy Promes has been sentenced in his absence to six years in prison by a Dutch court for his involvement in smuggling 1,350kgs of cocaine.
The 32-year-old was accused of being involved in the smuggling of two shipments of cocaine into the Belgian port of Antwerp via the Cap San Nicolas container vessel in January 2020.
The first batch was hidden in sacks of salt and involved 650 blocks of cocaine. The second batch had a logo of a tiger stamped on it and weighed in at 712kgs after being intercepted by Belgian police.
Prosecutors had initially sought a nine-year jail sentence, but the court ruled that their request had relied on previous cases with harsh punishments.
“The suspect is regularly in the news, is active on social media and has fans worldwide,” judge M. Vaandrager said. “Not only his sporting achievements, but also the wealth he flaunts, make him an example for many and – as the court assumes – especially for young people.
”This makes it even more objectionable that the suspect tries to increase his wealth (and possibly also prestige in certain circles) through involvement in large international drug transports.”
Promes did not attend the hearing that took place on January 24, instead remaining in Russia to continue playing for Spartak.
He had been charged in May 2023 by the Dutch prosecution office for his involvement and denied the allegations.
The former Ajax and Sevilla winger, who has also been capped 50 times by the Netherlands, has also previously been found guilty in his absence and sentenced to 18 months in prison for stabbing his cousin at a family party.
In 2019, Promes made the move from Dutch giants Ajax to Spanish club Sevilla.
He left Amsterdam in 2021 to join Spartak for a second spell, having played for the club between 2014 and 2018.
Promes has played 21 times across all competitions for Spartak this season, scoring eight goals and assisting the same amount.
His Spartak contract expires in June 2024.
(Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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