Mexico City, May 19 (RHC)-- The infamous leader of the Sinaloa cartel could face charges from a number of federal prosecutors in the U.S. should he be extradited.  Drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is apparently on the verge of being sent to the U.S. to face murder and money laundering charges, among other things, after a second Mexican judge ruled his extradition can go forward.

The judge’s decision was made in response to an extradition request from a U.S. federal court in Texas and follows another approved extradition request from a court in California last week.  The drug kingpin must now wait a further 20 days before the Mexican foreign affairs ministry decides whether to send him to the United States.  However, any such approval from Mexico’s foreign ministry can be appealed by “El Chapo,” delaying the process further.

The second extradition request is related to charges for conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine and marijuana, money laundering, arms possession and murder.

The leader of the Sinaloa cartel could face charges from seven federal prosecutors in the U.S., including in Chicago, New York, Miami and San Diego should he be extradited.