Convertible Burt: The Rise of a Miami Legend Who Did It His Way

Miami, Florida, has long been a city of contrasts—a paradise of palm trees and pristine beaches shadowed by a notorious history in the drug trade. During the 1980s, when the city was awash in cocaine cash and larger-than-life underworld figures, few names carried as much weight as Convertible Burt, born Richard Simmons, a man who forged his own path through one of America’s most dangerous criminal landscapes.

Raised in the streets of Miami, Convertible Burt’s first steps into the underworld began while he was still in school, serving as a lookout for Isaac Hicks, a major distributor at the center of the South American drug pipeline flowing into the United States. Under Hicks’ guidance, Burt went from street-level hustler to one of the first African American drug distributors operating on a multi-million-dollar scale.

At the peak of his empire, Convertible Burt was reportedly pulling in $5 million a month, a staggering testament to both his business instincts and his street-hardened savvy. His network reached far beyond Miami, with operations in Atlanta, Orlando, and beyond. His influence and fearlessness even brought him into contact with Pablo Escobar’s inner circle and the infamous “Cocaine Godmother” herself, Griselda Blanco.

But Burt’s rise came with inevitable risks. In 1991, at just 26 years old, he was arrested on drug trafficking charges. Refusing to cooperate with authorities, Burt took his case to trial, spending over $100,000 in legal fees in a fierce but ultimately unsuccessful defense. Convicted, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Behind bars, Burt’s reputation followed him. He crossed paths with Larry Hoover, the feared leader of the Gangster Disciples, and their mutual respect only solidified Burt’s status as a street legend.

After serving his sentence, Convertible Burt walked out of prison a free man—older, wiser, and still in good health. Today, he lives life at a slower pace, no longer chasing millions but enjoying his freedom as living proof of survival in a deadly game.

Convertible Burt’s story is more than just a tale of fast money and high stakes. It’s a Miami legend—part cautionary tale, part testament to resilience—etched into the city’s history forever. His journey stands as a reminder that even in the darkest worlds, there’s a path to redemption.