Goran Gogic, a former heavyweight boxer, has been charged by the US government for his alleged involvement in trafficking 22 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1bn (£870m).
It marks one of the largest cocaine seizures in American history and Gogic, 43, is now facing a lengthy prison sentence if found guilty of playing a role in the drugs scandal. The Montenegrin, who was previously indicted by a grand jury in New York, was arrested on Sunday night when he attempted to board a flight to Zurich from Miami International Airport.
Gogic has been charged with three counts of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, plus a single count of conspiracy. Each of the three counts carries a minimum 10-year prison term and possible life sentence.
Federal law officers seized the huge shipment of cocaine from the MSC Gayane when it was docked in Philadelphia over three years ago. Prosecutors described it as a "complex operation" in which cocaine was transported to Europe from Colombia using American ports.
Gogic allegedly oversaw logistics and worked with crew members on board the ship. Gogic's lawyer, Lawrence Hashish, insisted the charges came as a "surprise" to the 43-year-old and he was only in the US for a boxing convention.
"These charges came as a surprise to him," Hashish said. "He maintains his innocence, and had come to the US for a boxing convention in Puerto Rico."
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U.S. Attorney Breon Peace described the charges against Gogic as a victory for law enforcement, stating: "The arrest and indictment of Gogic, a former boxer allegedly responsible for trafficking a staggering amount of cocaine, more than 20 tonnes, which he attempted to move through U.S. ports, is a resounding victory for law enforcement."
"The meticulous planning by the defendant and his co-conspirators failed to take into account the federal agents whose hard work resulted in this body blow to the organisation and individuals responsible for distributing massive quantities of cocaine."
Gogic retired from boxing over a decade ago, finishing his career with a record of 21-4-2. The Montenegrin spent most of his career competing in Germany against relatively unknown competition, with the most high-profile opponent on his record being amateur bronze and silver medallist Pedro Carrion.
