'El Italiano' Connected To 1,500 Kilos Cocaine On Boats: DOJ

BOSTON – An Italian national was extradited and made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this week in connection with drug charges related to trafficking more than 1,500 kilos of cocaine on board maritime vessels.

To put that amount of cocaine into perspective it's equivalent to 3,306 pounds.

Gabriele Biondo, who also goes by "El Italiano," was arraigned on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms (11 pounds) or more of cocaine on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Biondo is an Italian national who was extradited to the United States from Spain.

The conspiracy and distribution charges each provide for a sentence of no greater than life in prison, a life term of supervised release and a $10 million fine.

The charges are part of a larger bust that will likely see more people charged, according to court documents.

The New England division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshal for the state, the Colombian National Police, the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Portuguese Air Force helped in the case, according to the U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling's office.

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).