File photo of Juliana Lopez. [File Photo: Xinhua]

A Colombian model is facing death penalty in China after being arrested for smuggling drugs in her laptop across the border, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, citing overseas media.

Juliana Lopez, the 22-year-old Colombia model and beauty pageant contestant, was arrested for smuggling psychedelic drugs at Guangzhou Airport in south China's Guangzhou Province, on July 18, 2015.

According to local media in Colombia, Lopez went to China two weeks ago to purchase stylish Chinese clothes, accessories and other souvenirs for a fashion store she owns back in Colombia.

Lopez's family contacted the Colombia Embassy in Beijing after losing contact with her and was notified that Lopez had been detained in China for drug trafficking.

The family is now trying to raise money and hire a lawyer to defend Lopez.

Family members and friends said they were surprised to learn the drug smuggling case. Back in Colombia, Lopez was a role model who plays soccer for a local football club "The Football Divasis" and also works as a presenter at a local TV station.

China's law stipulates severe punishments for smuggling drugs into the country. Xinhua News Agency cited Colombian media to say that roughly 90 percent of the 138 Colombians imprisoned in China right now have been arrested on drug trafficking charges.