Mexican drug lords faced criminal charges in the U.S. on Friday, with some looking at a possible death penalty, as court proceedings commenced and the defendants' lawyers accused Mexico of failing to follow legal procedures with forced expulsions.

Mexico has extradited notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero and 28 other fugitive cartel members to the United States, according to the US Department of Justice. Caro Quintero, considered by Mexican authorities to be the founder of the Guadalajara cartel,

Two cartel leaders sent from Mexico are set to be arraigned in a New York City court. Rafael Caro Quintero and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes will appear Friday in Brooklyn federal court following their surprise transfer from Mexico Thursday.