---
title: "DOJ Sentences Colombian National to 160 Months for Crypto Laundering Scheme"
description: "Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque received over 13 years in prison for laundering narcotics proceeds and cocaine importation."
url: https://basisdesk.news/news/colombian-national-sentenced-crypto-laundering-narcotics-sdny
published: 2026-10-22T03:56:53.065Z
modified: 2026-10-22T03:56:53.065Z
section: Regulation & Policy
author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified)
sentiment: neutral
tickers: []
tags: [DOJ, money-laundering, SDNY, enforcement, narcotics]
license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice.
---

# DOJ Sentences Colombian National to 160 Months for Crypto Laundering Scheme

Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque received over 13 years in prison for laundering narcotics proceeds and cocaine importation.

## At a glance

- **What happened:** Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque was sentenced to 160 months in prison by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for cryptocurrency money laundering and cocaine importation.
- **Why it matters:** The case highlights the federal judiciary imposing severe terms for international money laundering conspiracies using cryptocurrency.
- **Who is affected:** Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque, his co-defendants, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
- **What's next:** No next step announced.
- **Status:** court-ruling
- **Primary source:** [Colombian National Sentenced To Over Thirteen Years For International Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Scheme Of Drug Trafficking Proceeds](https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/colombian-national-sentenced-over-thirteen-years-international-cryptocurrency-money) — U.S. Department of Justice

## Key points

- Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
- The illicit operation involved schemes to launder hundreds of millions of dollars, including narcotics sale proceeds.
- Zuluaga Duque was also charged in connection with importing nine kilograms of cocaine into the United States alongside five co-defendants.

## Editorial remark

- **Context:** Federal prosecutors charged Zuluaga Duque alongside five co-defendants with laundering hundreds of millions in illicit narcotics revenue using cryptocurrency alongside physical drug trafficking offenses.
- **Impact:** The 160-month prison sentence establishes strict legal accountability for transnational narcotics actors using crypto to launder large-scale trafficking profits.
- **Watch:** Judicial actions and case outcomes involving the remaining five co-defendants named in the federal indictment.

A federal judge has sentenced Leonardo de Jesus Zuluaga Duque, known as "Rey," to 160 months in prison for his role in an international money laundering scheme involving cryptocurrency and narcotics trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York [1]. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil handed down the sentence against the Colombian national, who was indicted alongside five other defendants [1].

Prosecutors stated that Zuluaga Duque and his co-defendants were charged in connection with operations designed to launder hundreds of millions of dollars, which included the proceeds of illicit narcotics sales, as well as importing nine kilograms of cocaine into the United States [1]. SDNY U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald confirmed the 160-month term, bringing a formal close to Zuluaga Duque's sentencing in the international drug money conspiracy [1].

Federal law enforcement agencies have continued expanding their focus on illicit finance networks that bridge traditional narcotics trafficking and digital asset transfers, paralleling prior prosecutorial efforts against organized money laundering organizations such as the [DOJ Secures Guilty Plea from Operator of $14.7M Cybercrime Money Mule Ring](https://basisdesk.news/news/doj-secures-guilty-plea-ymco-money-laundering-ring) investigation. The resolution underscores the substantial prison terms handed down by U.S. courts in cross-border money laundering actions involving digital assets and controlled substances [1].

## Sources

1. [Colombian National Sentenced To Over Thirteen Years For International Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Scheme Of Drug Trafficking Proceeds](https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/colombian-national-sentenced-over-thirteen-years-international-cryptocurrency-money) — U.S. Department of Justice, 2026-10-21

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Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai