Former Crystal Palace defender Michael Boateng has been jailed for 14 years after police discovered £2.36 million worth of crystal meth at his Croydon home.
The 34-year-old, who once played in the Championship, was arrested on Valentine’s Day 2024 when officers found 19.7kg of the Class A drug in a Slazenger sports bag.
The discovery, one of the UK’s largest crystal meth seizures, was made at the flat he shared with his girlfriend and newborn son.
Back in September, Boateng pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to intending to supply crystal meth, cocaine, and MDMA.
His sentencing this week shocked many who remembered his rise from a promising footballer to a player trusted within organised crime.
Judge Daniel Flahive said Boateng played a “significant role” in the drug network. “You were playing a significant role in the drug-dealing enterprise. Your role was not minimal,” he told the court.
The judge added the 14-year sentence reflected “the sheer quantity of drugs you were looking after… potentially millions of pounds at street level.”
Prosecutor John Carmichael revealed that CCTV captured Boateng receiving the sports bag a week before the raid and placing it in the same hallway spot.
He explained that the stash had a wholesale value of £200,000 to £400,000, but could fetch up to £2.36 million on the street.
“He is clearly trusted within an organisation, holding onto a significant amount of drugs,” Carmichael said.
Boateng’s barrister, Paul Crampin, told the court the ex-footballer had faced a credible threat to his life in 2022, prompting an Osman Warning from police.
Following this, his relationship broke down, and he lost access to his son. “It caused him a period of stress and depression… One of the consequences of that was that he became involved in drug use,” Crampin said.
However, police surveillance and raids revealed Boateng’s growing role.
In September 2023, he was arrested with cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and over £1,500 in cash.
He was released on bail with a curfew but re-offended before facing trial.
Boateng joined Crystal Palace’s youth setup in 2005 before playing for Bristol Rovers, Sutton United, Newport County, and non-league Whitehawk.
His career ended in disgrace in 2014 after a match-fixing investigation led to a lifetime football ban.
He later served two separate prison terms for drug offences.
The latest conviction cements a tragic fall from grace for a player once tipped for a bright future.
