Londono, 45, was transported by helicopter from a prison on the outskirts of the Argentine capital to a nearby airport, where he was put on a plane bound for the United States.

Argentine courts earlier this year cleared his extradition to Florida to face drug smuggling and conspiracy charges.

Known by the nickname "Mi Sangre" (My Blood), Lopez Londono was the head of the Los Urabenos drug cartel, one of the most feared in Colombia.

The high security operation to extradite Londono involved Interpol agents as well as US marshals and Argentine law enforcement officers.

At the time of his capture in October 2012, Londono was living in an upscale suburb of Buenos Aires with his wife and three small children.