(AUG 9) On July 23, 2008, the Daily News
reported that pro boxer Edgar Santana, 29 years old, was
indicted for allegedly participating in a major cocaine distribution
transaction, and was officially dropped from a fight card that was
supposed to be his big break. Santana was to have fought on August 6th,
headlining the card in Brooklyn, New York, against Ali Oubaali on ESPN2.
Santana was hoping that winning that bout would get him in a position to
fight for a title bout.
A DEA Narcotics Task Force arrested Santana in Spanish Harlem after spending
a year investigating a cocaine ring that allegedly used the U.S. Postal
Service to ship drugs from Puerto Rico to New York City, according to the
Daily News. In the unsealed indictment Santana was to have allegedly had an
involvement in a mid-November transaction for a kilo of cocaine. Santana has
pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled
substance.
Yesterday evening, WBAN received a press release from Team Santana with an
update since his arrest. Team Santana stated the following:
“Since his release on bail several weeks ago,
Edgar Santana has been diligently training as he works on his imminent
return to the ring. In good spirits and eager to fight, Santana is spending
a lot of time with family and working on his plans to open up his barber
shop in Spanish Harlem.
On Monday 8/11 he makes a scheduled court appearance with attorney Dan Ollen.
Santana, his team and family feel optimistic about having a favorable
outcome regarding the allegations against him.
While the team is not allowed to speak about the details of the case they
feel that the evidence used to indict him does not come even remotely close
to the outlandish way the charges were presented to the public. We will
however say that no drugs or cash were confiscated from Santana and the
possession of drugs or cash are not part of the evidence against him.
The sideshow fashion with which Santana, who does not have a criminal
record, was paraded for the benefit of the press and the language used to
describe his involvement were completely over the top. Santana's arrest has
received media coverage that not even boxers who win World Championships
receive.
Sadly, that same media coverage was not there when Santana donated money and
equipment to unfunded boxing gyms, visited sick children at hospitals, spoke
to elementary school children or participated in many community events
throughout New York. Santana has been a preeminent role model for his
community in Spanish Harlem and will continue to do those things have made
the community proud of him. The stereotypical way he has been presented will
be countered aggressively and proven to have no merit.
We want to continue to thank all those who have sent us wishes of continued
support. The outpouring has been overwhelming and rest assured that
Santana's campaign toward a World Title continues and more importantly, the
fine reputation he has earned as an individual will be restored. Best
Regards, Team Santana”
