A Pilot was charged on cocaine distribution, money laundering and other conspiracy charges related to his role in a scheme to import large quantities from Guyana to New Jersey and New York, in exchange for $7.5 million, authorities announced.
Khamaraj Lall, 50, of Ringwood, was arraigned in federal court more than two years after he was arrested in July 2015. He has been in federal custody since.
Lall allegedly used his private jet to import large quantities of cocaine from Guyana to New Jersey and elsewhere and received more than $7.5 million in payments, said Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Lall made, or had others made, nearly 1,300 cash deposits into more than 20 different bank accounts; the deposits were for amounts less than $10,000 in order to circumvent banking reporting laws, Fitzpatrick said.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of multiple properties, as well as, two private jets that Lall purchased, Fitzpatrick said.
Lall was charged with conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to structure funds, conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, the attorney said.
Lall faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine on the cocaine-related charges alone.
