A-Rod's cousin arrested for recruiting clients for Biogenesis' drug ring, DEA says

Authorities say Yuri Sucart recruited clients for the Coral Gables clinic in the center of Major Baseball League steroid scandal

WESTON, Fla. – Baseball player Alex Rodriguez's cousin appeared in federal court in Miami Tuesday on charges linked to illegal drug dealing.

Authorities accused Yuri Sucart of recruiting professional athletes for Anthony Bosch's Biogenesis of America clinic in Coral Gables. Major League Baseball attorneys considered Sucart a witness in a case against the clinic that they later withdrew.

DOCUMENT: Read why A-Rod cousin did not want MLB to depose him

After Sports Illustrated reported in 2009 that Rodriguez had tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2003, Rodriguez accused his cousin Sucart of helping him get the drugs.

Sucart brought the steroids from the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez said.  After the allegations, Sucart was persona non grata at Yankee Stadium and clubhouses.

Before authorities filed the criminal charges, Sucart told a New York Daily News reporter last year that he was planning on filing a lawsuit for $5 million in damages. He also said he sold the 2009 World Series ring Rodriguez had given him.