Leader Of Multi-State Cocaine Ring Sentenced To Life In Prison
Evidence shows drug organization with ties to a Mexican cartel made $10 million illegal profit
LONDON, KY. - On January 25, 2011, an Indiana man was sentenced to life in prison in U.S. District Court for his role in one of the largest cocaine trafficking case ever prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Emire Dadanovic, 29, of Indianapolis led an international narcotics trafficking conspiracy that made millions of dollars from distributing cocaine in different areas of Kentucky and other states. Dadanovic was sentenced for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to launder money connected with drug trafficking.
Two other co-defendants, Kemal Dugalic, 29, of London, Kentucky, and Omer Dugalic, 31, of Columbus, Ohio, received sentences of 365 months and 380 months respectively for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine as well as several other offenses.
Evidence at trial proved that in a one-year period, the three defendants, along with several others, distributed at least 350 kilograms of cocaine and made approximately $10 million in profits. The jury reached a verdict after a three week trial in September of 2010. They found that Dadanovic was the primary supervisor, organizer and manager of a drug organization that had ties to a Mexican cartel.
At trial, it was revealed that the drug trafficking organization led by Dadanovic, received 100 to 200 kilograms of cocaine per month from a source with the cartel. The drugs were brought directly from Mexico to Indianapolis. From there, Dadanovic directed other high ranking members of the organization to distribute cocaine and some marijuana to various regional distributors located in Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Penn.; Nashville, Tenn; Chicago, Ill.; Charleston, W.Va.; Louisville, Ky.; Bowling Green, Ky. and London, Ky.
This long-term investigation involved not just the Drug Enforcement (DEA) office in London, but DEA offices in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Charleston as well as numerous other state and local law enforcement agencies in these and other jurisdictions. This case posed an exceptional challenge to the agencies involved due to the language barrier and the sophistication and scope of this organization.
A total of 12 defendants have been charged with crimes related to the conspiracy; seven have been sentenced at this point.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Robert L. Corso, DEA Special Agent in Charge jointly made the announcement today after the sentences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in these proceedings by Assistant United States Attorneys W. Samuel Dotson, Ron Walker, and Christy Love.
