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"
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