DUBAI / NETHERLANDS — Former Dutch international footballer Quincy Promes has been arrested in Dubai after an extradition request from the Netherlands, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
Promes, 33, was sentenced in absentia to six years in prison in February 2024 for his role in smuggling over a tonne of cocaine into the Netherlands via the Belgian port of Antwerp. He was also previously convicted of stabbing his own nephew during a 2020 family event.
Despite his legal troubles, Promes continued his football career abroad. After leaving Ajax, he joined Spartak Moscow in 2021 for €8.5 million and most recently played for Dubai United FC.
Earlier this week, Promes expressed willingness to attend appeal hearings in the Netherlands if allowed to remain free, but his request was rejected by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. Authorities in the Netherlands had confirmed that the extradition process was at an advanced stage, though they declined to comment further on his arrest.
Promes’ lawyer has confirmed the arrest but refrained from giving any additional details, according to De Telegraaf.
Promes, who has 50 caps for the Dutch national team, is now facing the possibility of being extradited to serve his sentence in the Netherlands. Both his drug trafficking and stabbing convictions are currently under appeal.
