A New York City jury has convicted the nephews of Venezuela's first lady of charges they conspired to send drugs to the United States.

The jury returned its verdict Friday in the case against Efrain Campo and his cousin Francisco Flores after less than a day of deliberations.

The nephews of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores were charged with conspiring last year to import more than 1,700 pounds of cocaine into the United States.

Lawyers for Campo and Flores argued no drugs traded hands and the men never intended to deliver any. They blamed a flawed Drug Enforcement Administration-led probe that relied on a longtime informant who was using and dealing cocaine as he helped build the case.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH'-ruh) says what they ended up with "is a conviction in an American court and the prospect of years in federal prison."