BROWNSVILLE – A former governor of Tamaulipas on the run for years will remain in jail. 

Tomas Yarrington appeared Monday before a federal judge in Brownsville.

An investigation, that began back in 1998, shows he's accused of protecting the Gulf and the Beltran Leyva cartels. 

According to the indictment, Yarrington allegedly received large bribes from drug traffickers operating in Tamaulipas, including the Gulf Cartel.

The document also states he allegedly used drug proceeds to buy properties in Port Isabel, South Padre Island, San Antonio and Mexico. 

Multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI, assisted in the 20-year long investigation.

Watch the news clip above for more information.