OTAY MESA, Calif. (KGTV)-- A former Sinaloa state legislator linked to Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was charged Thursday with conspiracy to distribute cocaine after being caught trying to enter the country yesterday at the Otay Mesa Border Xpress Port of Entry, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
Lucero Guadalupe Sanchez Lopez previously said she intended to seek political asylum for herself and her children in the U.S., according to Mexican media reports.
A complaint filed in U.S. District Court and released Thursday to 10News claims Sanchez Lopez conspired to distribute cocaine into the U.S.
The complaint alleged that during a 2012 Homeland Security investigation into a Sinaloa drug cartel both Guzmán and Sanchez Lopez were identified as being involved in drug trafficking and laundering of drug proceeds.
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Magistrate Judge Barbara Major ordered Sanchez Lopez Thursday held without bail because of being a flight risk.
The suspect visited Guzmán in a Mexican prison months before he escaped through a tunnel underneath his cell. Guzmán was later captured and extradited to the U.S. in January.
Sanchez Lopez has denied reports that she is the notorious drug lord's girlfriend.
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital producer. Follow her @10NewsSandy
