Convicted Former Football Celebrity Sentenced to 14 Years Imprisonment for Alleged Major Part in Significant Crystal Meth Trafficking worth £2.36million
Former Footballer Michael Boateng Jailed for 14 Years in Major Drug Trafficking Case
Michael Boateng, a former professional footballer who played for clubs including Crystal Palace, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a significant drug trafficking operation centered on crystal meth, cocaine, and MDMA[1][2][3].
Boateng’s football career began with a youth spell at Crystal Palace between 2005 and 2007. He later played for Tonbridge Angels, Sutton United, Bromley, Newport County, and Whitehawk[4]. However, his career was disrupted by criminal activity. In 2014, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in a match-fixing scandal, which led to a lifetime ban from professional football[1][2].
After football, Boateng worked as a personal trainer for elite athletes, notably training England star Jadon Sancho between 2018 and 2023[1][2].
The recent criminal case against Boateng culminated in his arrest on Valentine’s Day 2024, when he was found with 19.7 kilograms of crystal meth—valued by prosecutors between £1.18 million and £2.36 million—making it one of the largest crystal meth seizures in UK history[1][3]. This offense occurred while Boateng was out on bail from earlier drug-related charges. An earlier arrest in September 2023 uncovered cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine in his possession, as well as cash and illegal substances in his flat[2].
The court was presented with evidence that Boateng played a significant role within an organized crime group responsible for drug trafficking[2]. Although the defense argued he may have been coerced by criminals, the judge rejected this, affirming his active participation in the operation[2].
John Carmichael, prosecuting, stated the street value of the cocaine and MDMA found in Boateng’s flat was between £3,000 and £4,180[2]. The street value of the crystal meth found in Boateng’s flat could range from anywhere between £1,182,000 and £2,364,000[1][3].
Judge Daniel Flahive stated that Boateng played a "significant role" within an organized crime group and sentenced him to 14 years in prison[2]. Boateng was living with his girlfriend and their two-month-old son in Croydon when police raided his new address on Valentine's Day last year[1]. This is not the first time Boateng has been incarcerated for drug-related offenses, as he was jailed again in June 2015 for drug dealing[2].
Boateng had also appeared as a co-host on the podcast series "Banged Up" which explored life inside Britain’s prison system[2]. His fall from a promising football career to multiple criminal convictions highlights a tragic trajectory from sport to serious organized crime involvement[1][2].
[1] The Guardian - "Former footballer Michael Boateng jailed for 14 years for drug trafficking" [2] BBC News - "Michael Boateng: Ex-footballer jailed for drug trafficking offences" [3] Sky Sports - "Former footballer Michael Boateng jailed for drug trafficking" [4] Transfermarkt - "Michael Boateng"
Despite his past as a professional footballer, Michael Boateng's recent sentencing to 14 years in prison has been due to his involvement in a major drug trafficking operation, as reported in general news and crime-and-justice sections of various news outlets like The Guardian, BBC News, and Sky Sports.
Over the years, sports magazines and podcasts, such as Transfermarkt and "Banged Up," have covered Boateng's football career, which saw him play for teams like Crystal Palace, Tonbridge Angels, and Sutton United; however, his criminal activity in sports, like match-fixing and drug dealing, has overshadowed his achievements on the football field.
