JAKARTA - A former heavyweight boxer from Montenegro was indicted by the United States Department of Justice on Monday, due to trading 20 tonnes of cocaine worth more than $1 billion, which is largely part of one of the largest cocaine seizures in Uncle Sam's country history.
Goran Gogic (43), was arrested on Sunday night while trying to board a plane to Zurich from Miami International Airport, after being charged by a jury in New York.
Prosecutors charged Gogic with three counts of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law, and one conspiracy charge. Each charge carries a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a possible life sentence.
The allegations stemmed from the seizure of 19.930 kilograms of cocaine from three commercial cargo vessels in 2019, including 17.956 kilograms from MSC Gayane while anchored at Marine Terminal Packer Avenue, Philadelphia.
Prosecutors said the conspirators transported cocaine to Europe from Colombia via the United States port. Using cranes and nets at night to transport medicine to cargo ships from the speedboat along the ship's route.
The complex operation requires knowledge of each crew member, route and location data. And, there is room to store medicines in a shipping container that is already on board, prosecutors said.
According to court documents, Gogic oversees logistics, coordinates with crew members, Colombian traders, and European port workers to benefit himself and his Balkan-based cartel.
In a statement, US Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn called Gogic's arrest and indictment "a brilliant victory for law enforcement."
Gogic was detained after a brief appearance before US Judge Lisette Reid in Miami, her lawyer said. Another trial of detention is scheduled for November 7.
The lawyer, Lawrence Hasish said: "This accusation shocked him. He defended his innocence, and came to the US to attend a boxing convention in Puerto Rico."
It is known that at least eight members of the Gayane crew have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.
Meanwhile, according to online records, Gogic was a boxer from 2001 to 2012, winning 21 fights and losing four with two draws.
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