P.G. Cop Accused Of Using Office To Smuggle

A Prince George's County police officer used his gun and badge for cover as he drove loads of cocaine and contraband cigarettes across the Northeast, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Copperthite said officer Sinisa Simic, 25, carried the police badge in case he was pulled over by law enforcement and used his service weapon in case the haulers were hijacked while carrying the black market items.

For additional security, Simic sought to buy a .50-caliber Desert Eagle handgun for his co-defendant, Mirza Kujundzic, 30. The two were overheard on wiretaps talking about their operation, Copperthite said at a bond hearing Wednesday.

Simic discussed it "as another part-time job -- they called it a protection business," Copperthite said.

Simic came to the attention to investigators last year during a wide-reaching investigation into political corruption in Prince George's County. Two other police officers were also arrested Monday in a separate indictment on extortion charges in a scheme to distribute untaxed cigarettes and alcohol.

On Friday, County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife, Councilwoman-elect Leslie Johnson, were charged with destroying evidence. The county's power couple flushed a $100,000 check down a toilet and stuffed $80,000 in cash down Leslie Johnson's underwear as FBI agents closed in, authorities allege.

Prosecutors said the cases are all connected as part of an ongoing probe into official wrongdoing in Prince George's County, but they have not said whether they are directly linked.

Simic was ordered to remain behind bars until his trial date. His partner's hearing was postponed.

Simic attorney Brian Stolarz said his client fled with his family to the United States from war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina and that becoming a police officer was a "lifelong dream."

Simic was suspended from the department three months ago.     

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