Former Ajax star Quincy Promes has been extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands to face justice for his involvement in drug trafficking. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed that Promes is now in Dutch custody and en route to the Netherlands. This marks a significant development in a long-running legal saga that has seen the footballer's career derailed by serious criminal charges.

Promes, who previously showcased his skills as a forward for Ajax and earned 50 international caps for the Netherlands, was convicted in absentia last year of complicity in cocaine smuggling. The Amsterdam District Court found him to be involved in the import and export of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in 2020. He was sentenced to six years in prison for this crime.

In addition to the drug trafficking conviction, Promes was also found guilty in 2023 of stabbing his cousin in the leg and received an 18-month prison sentence. Both convictions are currently under appeal, but with his extradition, he will now have to face these charges directly in the Netherlands.

The legal troubles began shortly after Promes made a high-profile transfer from Sevilla back to Ajax, the club where he began his youth career. Following his initial arrest in connection with the stabbing incident, he was later sold to Spartak Moscow. It was in Moscow that he continued his football career while evading the legal proceedings in the Netherlands.

In March 2024, Promes was arrested in Dubai, where he was reportedly involved in a traffic accident and allegedly left the scene without reporting it. This arrest ultimately paved the way for the extradition process, which has now culminated in his return to the Netherlands.

Facing a considerable prison sentence, Promes had reportedly sought to avoid imprisonment, exploring legal avenues for a non-custodial return to the Netherlands. However, with the extradition now complete, it seems those attempts have been unsuccessful. The legal complexities surrounding his case have drawn international attention, highlighting the challenges athletes can face both on and off the field. His lawyers previously told judges that he denies the allegations against him.

The extradition marks a decisive turn in the case. The former Ajax star is now set to serve a long prison sentence, for drug trafficking and stabbing his cousin. The eyes of the football community remain fixed on the outcome, awaiting a resolution that will have far-reaching implications.