Dutch Footballer, Currently Playing for Spartak Moscow, Convicted of Smuggling 1.3 Tonnes of Cocaine
The District Court of Amsterdam has found Dutch professional footballer Quincy Promes guilty of smuggling and drug trafficking. He has been sentenced to six years in prison for this crime, although the prosecution demanded a nine-year term, reports NL Times.
Promes, along with his accomplice, who was also sentenced to six years in prison, was accused of organizing the delivery of two batches of cocaine totalling over 1350 kilograms. The drugs were hidden on ships coming from Brazil to the port of Antwerp, where customs intercepted the illicit cargo. Evidence in the case mainly consists of cryptocurrency transfers by the 32-year-old forward in January 2020, as well as encrypted messages on the Sky ECC service, where Promes discussed payments and sent couriers to the port of Antwerp to retrieve cocaine from containers.
Investigation also revealed that the defendants managed to organize the unloading of a 650-kilogram shipment of drugs and its delivery to a warehouse near the port, where it was discovered by law enforcement. Another batch weighing 712 kilograms was found directly on the vessel. Both batches were concealed among bags of sea salt shipped from Brazil.
In delivering the verdict, the court emphasized that Promes flaunted his wealth and sought to enhance his prestige by earning additional money through serious crimes. According to the court, this causes additional harm as Promes, being a professional footballer, is an example to be followed.
The 32-year-old Promes currently plays football for Moscow's "Spartak" and has refused to return from Russia to the Netherlands to participate in the trial. His lawyers have informed him of the verdict, and he immediately stated that he would appeal.
It's worth noting that in the summer of 2023, Promes was already sentenced to 18 months in prison for a serious assault — he stabbed his cousin in the leg with a knife during a family gathering over a dispute about a stolen chain. Promes has also appealed this decision and remains free pending its review.
Recall that The Gaze reported that at the end of last year, during two operations in Spain, 11 tonnes of cocaine imported by Albanian criminal organizations were seized.