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October 22, 2009

Alleged cartel leader pleads not guilty

Another alleged conspirator set for arraignment today

By Carl Keith Greene / Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Emir Dadanovic, alleged leader of an international drug conspiracy reportedly operating in Laurel County, pleaded not guilty to three counts of a sealed indictment

The indictment names eight other alleged conspirators and indicates it is still sealed in the matter of two more.

Omer Dugalic, charged in the indictment, also pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in London.

Detention hearings were set for Oct. 28 for Dadanovic and Oct. 23 for Omer Dugalic.

Mladen Bjelogravic is set for arraignment today.

Three charged in the indictment have already been arraigned. Kemal Dugalic has been remanded to custody, as has his girlfriend, Ernestina Hajric, after detention hearings.

Donta Hamilton has been arraigned and a detention hearing has been continued.

Yet to be set to appear in federal court are Arnol Rubehin Caseres, Halil Batlak and Shane Page.

The indictment charges Dadanovic with operating a criminal enterprise that includes at least five more conspirators.

He, brothers Kemal and Omer Dugalic, Hamilton, Caseres, Batlak, Bjelogravic, Hajric and Page are charged with possessing and distributing at least five kilograms of cocaine.

Kemal Dugalic, Caseres, Hajric and Page are charged with possessing and distributing at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

The final count charges Dadanovic, Kemal and Omer Dugalic, Batlak and Hajric with conspiring to launder at least $10,000 by transporting in interstate and foreign commerce while taking money from Kentucky to Texas, Mexico and other places.

If convicted in a trial set for Dec. 15, punishment could be as much as life in prison and $8 million in fines.

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