By Elisinio Castillo
The World Boxing Association has quickly distanced their organization from charismatic Panamanian boxer Celestino 'Pelenchin' Caballero.
As BoxingScene.com reported earlier, Caballero was arrested on Thursday after law officers discovered 10 kilos of what they suspect is cocaine in the boxer's vehicle during a traffic stop.
A prosecutor for the local Attorney General's Office, which handles drug related crimes, said Caballero was apprehended on a highway transporting 10 packages that are allegedly filled with cocaine in a Toyota Corolla with plate number AJ 3359. During a search of the vehicle, they found 5 kilos in the trunk, hidden within a toolbox, and then another 5 kilos were found in a plastic bag.
The drug have a street value of $600,000 USD. The boxer was alone in the car and did not resist officers.
Caballero was taken to a local police sub-station and then he will be handed over a united specializing in drug prosecutions.
The former two-division world champion announced his retirement in November of 2014, due to a retina injury after 43 fights with 37 wins.
He was a WBA world champion at super bantamweight and featherweight.
The sanctioning body had recently brought Caballero on board as their Deputy Director for the Committee for Integral Development and Security of Boxers.
Caballero has now been officially removed from that position, at least until the outcome of the legal situation with authorities in Panama.
The WBA stages numerous functions per year in their battle against drugs - including their annual KO To Drugs event.
"We deeply regret the situation that Caballero is going through. We hope it is a misunderstanding and that he can move forward, but as an entity that fights against drugs - and considering this situation - he should be removed from office until the situation is resolved," said Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, the President of the WBA.
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