Former Crystal Palace youth participant Michael Boateng has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for drug offences involving practically 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
The 34-year-old was arrested on February 14, 2024 when police discovered 19.7kg of the Class A drug in a sports activities bag at his Croydon flat, the place he lived along with his girlfriend and toddler son.
Boateng admitted supplying crystal meth, cocaine and MDMA at Croydon Crown Courtroom in September. Choose Daniel Flahive stated he performed a major function in an organised crime group, reviews the Solar.
The court docket heard the crystal meth had a wholesale worth of £200,000 to £400,000, with a possible avenue worth of as much as £2.36 million. CCTV footage confirmed Boateng amassing the bag exterior his house seven days earlier than the police raid. Throughout sentencing, Choose Flahive stated as quoted by the Solar’s report:
You have been taking part in a major function within the drug dealing enterprise. Your function was not minimal. The quantity of medicine we’re speaking about, simply shy of 20kg, the worth at avenue stage, we’re speaking doubtlessly tens of millions of kilos.
The choose added that the sentence mirrored “the sheer amount of medicine you have been taking care of” and famous the offence was dedicated whereas Boateng was on bail for earlier drug costs.
His girlfriend, mom of their 18-month-old little one, appeared surprised when the choose introduced the decision.
Defence barrister Paul Crampin advised the court docket Boateng had acquired an Osman Warning from police in 2022, indicating a reputable risk to his life. This brought on his then-partner to refuse him entry to their household, leading to depression and drug use.
Crampin stated Boateng grew to become “concerned within the small scale provide of medicine to primarily individuals he knew” to “fund his personal Class A drug behavior.”
READ ALSO: Sports stars who died from helicopter and plane crashes
Boateng educated Jadon Sancho
The court docket heard Boateng had labored as a private coach between 2018 and 2023, with purchasers together with England footballer Jadon Sancho.
Prosecutor John Carmichael stated:
He’s clearly trusted inside an organisation, holding onto a major quantity of medicine.
The defence argued Boateng may have been a sufferer of coercion from organised criminals, however Choose Flahive rejected this, saying it was clear he performed a major function within the operation.
Boateng’s prison document
Boateng’s prison historical past features a 16-month jail sentence in 2014 for match-fixing, which resulted in a lifetime ban from soccer. He was jailed once more in 2015 for drug dealing.
His soccer profession started at Crystal Palace’s academy between 2005 and 2007. He made his senior debut for Tonbridge Angels in 2011 whereas on mortgage from Bristol Rovers, later taking part in for Sutton United, Bromley, Newport County and Whitehawk.
The February arrest got here after an earlier incident in September 2023 when police discovered Boateng with cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. He was stopped in Bromley after performing suspiciously and ran from officers earlier than being caught.
MUST READ: Ghana’s fastest man Saminu beats Africa’s fastest runner to finish second (Video)
A search of his flat revealed further medication value as much as £4,180, plus £1,570 in money.
Boateng had not too long ago appeared on podcast “Banged Up”, discussing jail life and expressing his want to not reoffend.
