Ex-boxer Goran Gogic charged with trafficking over $1B worth of cocaine

Former heavyweight boxer Goran Gogic was charged with trafficking over 20 tons of cocaine worth more than $1 billion, the United States Department of Justice announced in a press release.

Gogic, a citizen of Montenegro, allegedly conspired with others to transport large quantities of cocaine to Europe from Colombia via the U.S. using commercial cargo ships, according to the press release.

Gogic was arrested Sunday night while attempting to board a flight from Miami International Airport. He has been charged with three counts of violating the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act and one count of conspiracy. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years behind bars and up to life in prison.

"A billion dollars worth of cocaine seized was a heavy hit for Gogic's criminal network, but nothing heavier than his arrest last night," said Frank A. Tarentino III, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division. "As evident in this case, criminal organizations will go to various extremes to make a profit off the sale of poison. Due to the hard work by local, state, and federal law enforcement, 20 tons of poison was intercepted en route from Colombia to Europe.

"Gogic's arrest underscores law enforcement's commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for causing the most harm to our communities."

Gogic's charges stem from three seizures of cocaine, including in June 2019 when law enforcement officials found 19.8 tons of the drug aboard the MSC Gayane at the Port of Philadelphia - one of the largest seizures of cocaine in U.S. history, according to the Department of Justice.

Gogic's boxing career spanned from 2001-12, during which he compiled a 21-4-2 record in 27 matches.