Ex-Netherlands star gets six years in cocaine smuggling case

A Dutch court convicted former Dutch winger Quincy Promes of complicity in cocaine trafficking and sentenced him in absentia on Wednesday to six years in prison.

The Amsterdam District Court ruled that Promes, 32, who plays for Spartak Moscow, was involved in the import and export of hundreds of kilograms (pounds) of cocaine in 2020.

Promes, a former Ajax and Sevilla player, lives in Moscow and did not appear at his trial in the Dutch capital. His lawyers told judges he denied the allegations.

Prosecutors had asked judges to sentence him to nine years.

In a written verdict, the court said Promes was involved in drug imports despite being a highly paid soccer star with legions of fans and followers on social media.

“This makes it even more unacceptable that the suspect is trying to increase his wealth [and possibly also prestige in certain circles] by participating in significant international drug shipments,” the court said.

Promes has scored seven goals in 50 international matches for the Netherlands.