Drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán found guilty of funneling tons of narcotics into the U.S.

Elisha Fieldstadt

Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán was found guilty on Tuesday of crimes spanning more than a quarter of a century, during which prosecutors said he smuggled more than 200 tons of cocaine into the U.S.

After a nearly three-monthlong trial and six days of deliberations, a New York jury found the alleged Sinaloa cartel leader guilty of all counts he was tried on.

Guzmán, 61, now faces life in prison.

More than 56 prosecution witnesses were called to the stand at the heavily-secured federal courthouse in Brooklyn over the course of 35 days.

The seven women and five men of the jury listened to movie-esque tales of brutal murders of cartel enemies, political payoffs, elaborate schemes to traffic drugs, two brazen escapes that almost became three and even a love triangle.

In closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury that an "avalanche of evidence" proved that Guzmán lorded over a murderous drug empire. Presenting that evidence took 11 weeks.

Meanwhile, the defense rested after 30 minutes. They countered that the government's case was only held up by the testimony of criminals who "lie, steal, cheat, deal drugs and kill people" for a living.

Guzmán addressed the courtroom only once during the trial, telling the judge he was electing not to testify in his own defense.

"Señor judge, me and my attorneys have spoken about this," Guzmán said, "and I will reserve."

GUZMÁN FACED 10 COUNTS:

  • Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise

  • International cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana manufacture and distribution conspiracy

  • Cocaine importation conspiracy

  • Cocaine distribution conspiracy

  • International distribution of cocaine

  • International distribution of cocaine

  • International distribution of cocaine

  • International distribution of cocaine

  • Use of firearms

  • Conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds

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