Retired heavyweight boxer Goran Gogic, 43-years-old, was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with trafficking in 22 tons of cocaine. The seized have a street value of worth over $1 billion.
He was arrested on Sunday night at Miami International Airport while trying to board a flight to Zurich. Gogic was previously indicted by a grand jury in New York.
Gogic turned pro in 2001 and had his last bout in 2012. He primarily fought in Germany and walked away with a record of 21-4 with 14 wins by knockout.
He took a four year break between 2007 and 2011. He resumed his career with a four fight win streak, but then walked away for good.
The former fighter was charged with three counts of violating the federal Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, plus one count of conspiracy. Gogic is facing stiff sentences, as each of the three counts has a mandatory minimum of a 10-year prison term with a possible life sentence.
The charges stem all the way to 2019, when 22 tons of cocaine from three commercial cargo ships were seized while docked at Philadelphia’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.
According to published reports, which cite court papers, Gogic oversaw the logistics and coordinated with crew members, Colombian traffickers and European dockworkers.