A Mexican court has begun formal legal process against Orso Ivan Gastelum Avila, a lieutenant of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
A district court in the state of Sinaloa issued a detention order for Gastelum Avila, alias "El Cholo", Xinhua news agency reported.
He is expected to be charged with drug trafficking, murder and illegal possession of arms, said the Federal Judicial Council.
Both men were arrested last week in northern Mexico.