Jailed narcotics king “El Chapo” Guzman’s wife Emma Coronel Aispuro, 31, has been held in detention by a Washington Judge on Tuesday. She was arrested on Monday for drug trafficking. 

According to the federal district judge Robin Meriweather, Coronel faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. The charges have been filed against her on the grounds of her involvement in Sinaloa cartel boss’s narcotics operations, reported AFP. 

Also Read: Wife of Mexican drug lord ‘El Chapo’ arrested: US Justice Department

She now faces one charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana for importation into the United States, and one additional charge of aiding and abetting a crime.

Emma is a dual US-Mexican citizen and has been arrested two years after her husband was convicted in New York. ‘El Chapo’ has been jailed for executing a drug operation that shipped tons of cocaine, heroin, and other drugs into the United States for over 25 years.

Also Read: Mexico to shut Puente Grande prison infamous for drug lord El Chapo’s escape

Coronel has attended Guzman’s three-month trial daily. This would be the first time she faces charges against herself. 

As per a court filing, court evidence from a witness and a trafficker show her involvement in using drug proceeds to help her husband while he was in prison.

The filing says, “From 2012 to 2014, Coronel relayed messages on behalf of Guzman in furtherance of drug trafficking activities while Guzman attempted to avoid capture by Mexican authorities. Once Guzman was arrested in February 2014, Coronel continued to deliver messages she received from Guzman during her prison visits.”

The filing also said Coronel took part in two Mexican prison escape plots — the first one successful — by her husband.

As per her lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, Coronel will be pleading innocent to all charges