Investing.com -- Mexican authorities arrested a suspected cartel member linked to the killing of workers at Canadian mining company Vizsla Silver Corp earlier this year, officials said Tuesday.

Mexico's defense ministry said the suspect, identified as Gabriel "N," also known as "Gabito" or "80," was detained in the western state of Sinaloa. The arrest was conducted through a joint operation involving the army, National Guard and local security forces.

Authorities said the suspect was a regional operator within a criminal group linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. He was involved in the abduction and killing of 10 people connected to a mining operation in January.

Vancouver-based Vizsla is developing a silver project in the region. The company previously said it was cooperating with Mexican authorities in the investigation.

The mining company reopened its field activities at the Panuco project in northwestern Mexico in early May. Last week, the company received state-backed financing for the mine.