The Last Kilo

Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America

By: T. J. English

Narrated by: Christian Barillas

From true-crime legend T. J. English, the epic, behind-the-scenes saga of “Los Muchachos,” one of the most successful cocaine trafficking organizations in American history—a story of glitz, glamour, and organized crime set against 1980’s Miami.

Despite what Scarface might lead one to believe, violence was not the dominant characteristic of the cocaine business. It was corruption: the dirty cops, agents, lawyers, judges, and politicians who made the drug world go round. And no one managed that carousel of dangerous players better than Willy Falcon.

A Cuban exile whose family escaped Fidel Castro’s Cuba when he was eleven years old, Falcon, as a teenager, became active in the anti-Castro movement. He began smuggling cocaine into the U.S. as a way to raise money to buy arms for the Contras in Central America. This counter-revolutionary activity led directly to Willy’s genesis as a narco. He and his partners built an extraordinary international organization from the ground up. Los Muchachos, the syndicate founded by Falcon, thrived as a major cocaine distribution network in the U.S. from the late 1970’s into the early 1990’s. At their height, Los Muchachos made more than a hundred million dollars a year. At the same time, Willy, his brother Tavy Falcon, and partner Sal Magluta became famous as championship powerboat racers.

Cocaine, used by everyone from A-list celebrities to lawyers and people in law enforcement, came to define an era, and for a time, Willy Falcon and those like him—major suppliers, of whom there were only a few—became stars in their own right. They were the deliverers of good times, at least until the downside of persistent cocaine use became apparent: delusions of grandeur, psychological addiction, financial ruin. Thus, the War on Drugs was born, and federal authorities came after Falcon and his crew with a vengeance. Willy found himself on the run, his marriage and family life in shambles, the halcyon days of boat races and lavish trips to Vegas and parties at the Mutiny night club seemingly a distant memory.

T. J. English has been granted unprecedented access to the inner workings of Los Muchachos, sitting down with Willy Falcon and his associates for many lengthy interviews, and revealing never-before-understood details about drug trafficking. A classic of true-crime writing from a master of the genre, The Last Kilo traces the rise and fall of a true cocaine empire—and the lives left in its wake.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 T. J. English (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Excessive ‘80’s time capsule

I liked everything about this book, As a lover of powerboats and muscle cars, I was born in 1979 and I remember childhood feeling like I was born too late because of the things I was seeing in American pop culture during the Reagan/Bush years. Los Muchachos lived the dream my generation was sold

The story interfaced with current events of the time

I have heard this story previously….but none a comprehensively as English’s re-telling. What a fascinating story that feels like non-fiction!

I highly recommend…oh and the narrator is also top notch who clearly speaks Spanish fluently and is able to add another dimension of realism

Amazing details couldn't put it down, a fascinating time in history and place.

This is the true story about drug lords, both violent and nonviolent; crooked cops, crooked lawyers, and cocaine lots of cocaine—not to mention a view into the chaotic lives of Cuban refugees fleeing Castro's Cuba, this part is shocking and inspiring. It is set in late 1970s and 1980s Miami, Cuba, and Colombia, and more with the focus on Miami of course. It is absolutely the definitive story of Willy Falcon and his entire crew, the "cocaine cowboys." If you watched the Netflix documentary, this book is 100 times better no joke.

As the author noted in the opening, he got much of his information directly from Willy Falcon himself during many one-on-one interviews. This is the first time Willy has been on record in such detail, or in any way, as far as I can tell and according to the author.

Very well done. If you are even slightly interested, you should definitely listen to this; the narration is excellent.

Just wow unbelievable

The 80s were incredible in miami this real life miami vice story is 100% true

Great Story About Extreme Highs & Travic Lows

I'm 55 years old and have listened to at least 200 audiobooks. This one is among the top five.

A Masterclass in Narrative Nonfiction

T.J. English delivers an exceptional deep dive into the drug trade with The Last Kilo, a gripping and meticulously researched account that goes far beyond what we’ve seen in the Netflix series Cocaine Cowboys: Kings of Miami. While the documentary gave us a flashy, fast-paced look at the world of Willy Falcon and Sal Magluta, English’s audiobook brings nuance, historical context, and an incredible level of detail that only a master storyteller can provide.What truly sets The Last Kilo apart is English’s commitment to journalistic integrity—he doesn’t just retell headlines. Every major point is backed up by documented sources, court records, and interviews, adding weight to the already compelling narrative. His ability to weave facts into a vivid, cinematic experience makes the audiobook impossible to pause. The characters are presented in all their complexity—neither glorified nor villainized—giving listeners a full, honest picture of how Miami’s drug underworld evolved.If you thought Cocaine Cowboys was the full story, think again. The Last Kilo adds layers of depth, exploring the socio-political landscape, the legal system, and the corrupt institutions that enabled one of the most audacious drug empires in U.S. history. The narrator’s voice—both literally and literarily—guides the listener through a dark, fascinating chapter of American crime history. Highly recommended for true crime aficionados, historians, and anyone who appreciates brilliant narrative nonfiction.

The real story of the Cocaine Cowboys

Great story. They led a wild life. I thought I knew this story from the documentary, but the book delved into what really happened. Quite a read.

Epic Story - Hard to Put Down

TJ is arguably the best true crime author currently out there and his access to Falcon set this book apart from others. It is an enthralling tale that does a good job of not lionizing its drug kingpin lead too much. Don’t skip this one

TJ did it again

TJ wrote another masterpiece …. I highly recommend this fun book about the coke cowboys. It’s fun and entertaining

Great Insights

I have listened to all TJ English's published on Audible so far. All are awesome. Great personality insights.