Ex-Ajax star Promes given six-years in prison for role in cocaine smuggling plot

The Netherlands international and a 32-year-old co-suspect have been found guilty of importing, exporting, transporting and possessing cocaine.

Two batches of the illegal drug totalling 1,363kg were intercepted in Antwerp in January 2020, while Promes was at Ajax.

The winger, who currently plays for Spartak Moscow, has 50 caps and seven goals for his country but has not featured since 2021.

Russia has no extradition treaty with the Netherlands, meaning Promes can likely continue his football career if he refuses to return to his homeland.

Prosecutors, who initially called for a nine-year prison sentence, claimed Promes 'thinks he is untouchable' abroad after refusing to attend his trial in the Netherlands and making no statement in response to the charges.

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"The case came to light after the police Criminal Intelligence Team received information that the 32-year-old man who now lives in Russia was involved in the cocaine trade," the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said.

"He is also said to own crypto phones and has invested 200,000 euros in the trade.

"That information prompted an investigation to be launched. Eavesdropping equipment was placed in the suspect's car and the suspect was observed.

"The accuracy of the TCI information was confirmed, partly by seized telephones from others in which conversations were found in which the suspects also participated.

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"Many chat messages made it clear that both suspects were involved in bringing in, removing and further transporting and selling these two consignments."

The former Sevilla player, who maintains his innocence, has eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances for Spartak this season.

He was also sentenced to 18 months in prison last year for stabbing his cousin.

Promes was found guilty of assault, but cleared of attempted murder charges.

The 32-year-old was originally arrested in December 2020 regarding the incident that took place in July of that year.

NOS reported that Promes stabbed his cousin in a the leg in a row over a stolen necklace.

He has appealed the prison sentence but was ordered to pay £6,000 in compensation to the victim.