Mexican drug Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán has been found guilty on all counts in his drug trafficking trial in the US.
The 61-year-old has yet to be sentenced, however prosecutors expect him to serve the rest of his life behind bars at a high security US prison.
Guzmán was arrested in January 2016 after escaping a Mexican prison in late 2015. It was the second time he had escaped from prison in the Central American country.
He was extradited to the US where he underwent an 11-week trial in Brooklyn.
Emma Coronel Aispuro, wife of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, leaves federal court in New York, 12-02-2019. Image: AP Photo/Seth WenigEl Chapo
One of the world’s most notorious drug lords, Guzmán was found guilty of being the brains behind the Sinaloa drug cartel.
During the trial, 14 witnesses described Guzmán’s willingness to use violence against enemies of a cartel that prosecutors believe smuggled at least 200 tons of cocaine into the US over 20 years.
Court papers also accused him of drugging and raping girls as young as 13-years-old.
The defence meanwhile claimed that those cooperating with the prosecution were using Guzmán as a scapegoat for their own crimes.
It took the jury six days to find him guilty on all ten counts.
"Victory"
At a news conference after the verdict was announced, law enforcement officials described the convictions as a "victory for the American people."
Attorney General, Richard P. Donoghue said he expects the conviction to bring a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
“It is a sentence from which there is no escape and no return," he said.
“This conviction is a victory for the American people who have suffered so long and so much while Guzman made billions pouring poison over our southern border.
“This conviction is a victory for the Mexican people who have lost more than 100,000 live in drug-related violence.
“This conviction is a victory for every family that has lost a loved one to the black hole of addiction.”
Guzmán is due to be sentenced on June 25th.
