The wife of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman has been arrested on drug trafficking charges.
Emma Coronel Aispuro was held by authorities at Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia and is set to appear in federal court later today (February 23).
The U.S Justice Department said she has been accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana in the U.S.
According to a criminal complaint, “there is probable cause to believe that, from at least in or about 2014 and at least on or about January 19, 2017, Coronel did knowingly, intentionally, and willfully conspired with Guzmán and others” to distribute drugs.
The 31-year-old has also been accused of working with others to help El Chapo escape out of a Mexican prison via secret tunnel in 2015.
63-year-old El Chapo is known for being the former head of the Sinaloa cartel which is believed to be the biggest supplier of drugs to the United States.
In 2001, he made his first escape from a prison in Mexico which led to a 13-year manhunt before he was recaptured.
In 2015, he escaped a Mexican prison for a second time and this is the one his wife allegedly helped to plan.
Two years ago, El Chapo was sentenced to life in a high-security prison in Colorado.
Coronel Aispuro made regular appearances at her husband’s trial.
She has not yet commented on the new charges against her.