News Release
Date: March 2, 2012
Contact: Erin McKenzie-Mulvey
Number: 212-337-2906

30 Years for Enis Djurkovic: Led Major International Drug Trafficking Organization, Threatened Federal Judge, Prosecutor, DEA Agents
-Organization Smuggled Over 100,000 Kilos of High Grade Marijuana from Canada to U.S.-

March 2 (New York) – Today the Honorable Dora L. Irizarry sentenced Enis Djurkovic to 30 years’ imprisonment for his leadership role in an international drug trafficking organization that smuggled narcotics through the Akwesasne Native American Reservation on the U.S. - Canadian border.

In addition to a 30-year term of imprisonment, Judge Irizarry also imposed a $2,000,000 forfeiture judgment against Djurkovic.

Previously, Djurkovic pled guilty to distributing more than 7,000 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic marijuana and 25 kilograms of cocaine, laundering millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds and obstructing justice by manufacturing threats against the lead prosecutor, the investigating DEA agents and the District Court Judge presiding over his case.

A multi-year investigation by the Long Island District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force in conjunction with the Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, United States Customs and Border Protection and the United States Attorney’s Office uncovered a massive narcotics operation coordinated by high-level traffickers in Canada with the assistance of smuggling networks based on the Akwesasne Native American Reservation. Between 2000 and 2009, the organization imported in excess of 100,000 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic marijuana from Canada into the United States. Once smuggled across the border using fast boats, tractor-trailers, ATVs and private vehicles, the marijuana was shipped to distributors throughout the east coast, with the bulk of the narcotics being sent to the tri-state area for distribution.

The investigation revealed that Djurkovic ran a distribution network in the Forest Hills area of Queens that distributed thousands of pounds of the smuggled marijuana, as well as cocaine. After his conviction for narcotics trafficking, Djurkovic executed a scheme to manipulate the criminal justice system by manufacturing threats against United States District Court Judge Sandra L. Townes, the lead prosecutor and the two main DEA agents leading the investigation. Djurkovic then enlisted the aid of his sister (who also plead guilty to obstruction of justice) to deliver a threatening note to DEA agents and offer to assist in the investigation of the “source” of the threats. An investigation by the United States Marshals Service and the DEA, however, revealed Djurkovic’s role in masterminding the scheme. Djurkovic was subsequently charged with, and plead guilty to, obstruction of justice.

The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

United States Attorney Lynch thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, United States Border Patrol and the government of Canada for their assistance.The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven L. Tiscione, Todd Kaminsky and Tanya Hill.