Colombian model denies drugs charges

A Colombian-born former beauty queen has denied drug-smuggling as she goes on trial in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

The Washington Post reports that Angie Sanclemente and her Argentine boyfriend, Nicolas Gualco, stand accused of recruiting beautiful young women to smuggle drugs to Europe, through the Mexican resort of Cancun.

Five others are also facing trial.

The 31-year-old Sanclemente, former Colombian Coffee Queen, told the court that she came to Argentina to get married, and not to smuggle drugs: "I did not come here to commit crimes, I am not a narcotic-trafficker. I’m not interested in dirty business.”

Read more on GlobalPost: Mexico's president defends war on drugs

According to Sky News, Sanclemente admitted to making “a few calls" on behalf of Gualco.

Sanclemente was arrested in Buenos Aires in May last year after several months as a fugitive.

The investigation began when one of the suspects, a 21-year-old girl, was allegedly caught in the Buenos Aires international airport with 121 pounds of cocaine, the Associated Press reported.

Sanclemente’s lawyers say there is no evidence against her. Her defense for going into hiding after the arrest of Gualco was that she feared being raped in prison.

If convicted, Sanclemente faces up to 16 years in prison.