Drug kingpin and Continuum resident sentenced

Accused drug kingpin Alvaro López Tardón’s penchant for Miami condos earned him a 150-year prison sentence.

He was convicted of laundering $14 million in proceeds from cocaine sales between Spain and Latin America through Miami-Dade County real estate, among other luxury items, according to the South Florida Business Journal

Tardón purchased 14 condo units in Miami and Miami Beach from 2001 through 2006 with dirty money. All while living in the penthouse of South Beach’s Continuum.

Authorities said Tardón also used drug money to purchase a Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari Enzo – each worth over $1 million – a Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57S, two Mercedes-Benz G55, a Rolls Royce Ghost and a Land Rover Range Rover.

“For over a decade, Tardón oversaw a narcotics trafficking and money laundering organization that spanned three continents, distributed over 8 tons of cocaine and laundered over $14 million,” U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said in a news release. “Today’s sentencing, which includes the forfeiture of millions of dollars in assets acquired with the proceeds of the narcotics trafficking, ensures not only that Tardón will spend the rest of his life in prison, but the dismantlement of this criminal organization.” [South Florida Business Journal] – Christopher Cameron