In a case that could have far-reaching implications for US and Mexican anti-cartel strategy, a magistrate judge also on Wednesday ordered Cienfuegos be sent to New York to stand trial.

The 72-year-old was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last week.

Judge Alexander MacKinnon denied a request from Cienfuegos' attorney for his release on a $US750,000 ($A1.1 million) bond, saying his prominent position and ties to Mexico posed a significant flight risk.

There are "no conditions that will reasonably assure the defendant's appearance at future court proceedings", he said.

Cienfuegos was indicted in federal court in New York on four counts of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Prosecutors say he took bribes in return for protecting drug cartel members, which included warning them of US investigations.

He is accused of using his office to protect the H-2 narcotics cartel, an offshoot of the Beltran-Leyva cartel, directing operations against rival gangs and sourcing transport for the shipment of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

He has not yet entered a plea.

The arrest of Cienfuegos - nicknamed El Padrino in a 2019 indictment sealed until last week - marked the first time a former Mexican defence minister has been indicted and detained.

Cienfuegos, a retired army general, served in the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto from 2012 to 2018.

Several of Pena Nieto's aides and party members have been accused of corruption.

Genaro Garcia Luna, Mexico's former security minister under President Felipe Calderon, has also pleaded not guilty in the United States to charges of accepting bribes from Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel.

There had been no prior open probe of Cienfuegos in Mexico.

Australian Associated Press