Mexico's former security chief appears in US court in connection with El Chapo drug money

Mexico's former top security official on Friday pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted a fortune in drug-money bribes from kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's notorious Sinaloa cartel. 

Genaro Garcia Luna entered the plea in a New York courtroom. He has been indicted on charges of cocaine trafficking conspiracy and making false statements. During his brief appearance, Garcia Luna shook his head "no" as prosecutors outlined the charges against him. 

A judge ordered him detained after a prosecutor argued he'd be a flight risk. Garcia Luna's lawyer said he'd seek bail at a later date. Garcia Luna was viewed as the point man in then-President Felipe Calderon’s 2006-2012 war on drugs. 

As public safety secretary, he was one of the most feared members of Calderon’s government, but for years was dogged by allegations about his ties to drug traffickers.