The US Justice Department has announced that a former boxer has been charged for his part in the attempted smuggling of 22 tons of cocaine worth more than $1 billion in 2019. After being indicted by a grand jury, Montenegrin Goran Gogic was arrested on October 30 inside the Miami International Airport.

At the time of his arrest, the 43-year-old was attempting to board a flight to Zurich. According to a news release from the US Justice Department, Gogic is accused of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act three times and of conspiring once. Each count is punishable by a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum life sentence.

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The next hearing is scheduled for November 7

Gogic made a brief appearance in US magistrate court; a subsequent hearing is scheduled for November 7. From Columbia, the illicit drugs allegedly crossed the US and eventually made their way into Europe. In 2019, three commercial cargo ships netted about 19,930 kilograms (22 tons) of cocaine, including 17,956 kilograms (19.8 tons) from the MSC Gayane, which was berthed at Philadelphia’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. According to court documents, Gogic is alleged to have handled many logistics, including the removal of the drugs from speedboats, and is thought to have played a significant role in the operation.

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He transferred the drugs from the speedboats to the cargo ships using a crane, according to reports. US attorney Breon Peace described Gogic’s arrest and indictment as “a resounding victory for law enforcement” in a statement. In the meantime, Gogic’s attorney stated, “These charges came as a surprise to him. He maintains his innocence, and had come to the U.S. for a boxing convention in Puerto Rico.”

Gogic’s professional boxing career reportedly began in 2001 and ended in 2012. The heavyweight competed in most of his matches in Germany. Over the course of his career, he had 21 victories, four defeats, and two draws.