Police in the northern city of Chihuahua issued an arrest warrant for the singer and her manager, Sergio Andrade, more than six months after they were first accused of sex abuse, prostitution and pornography.

The pair disappeared together with their entourage, and are still on the run.

Cult status

Miss Trevi, dubbed the Mexican Madonna, has enjoyed cult status throughout Latin America over the past decade because of her titillating stage shows.

The BBC's Peter Greste: "The case is a seedy mix of sex, corruption, and abduction"

Allegations against Miss Trevi and Mr Andrade first surfaced earlier this year in a book written by Mr Andrade's former wife.

She said that the pair recruited young girls into their talent school by promising them a glittering future, but then forced them into a life of prostitution.

The allegations prompted an international police search, but it is only now that a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

Police have based their actions on the complaint by the father of a missing girl, Carina Yapor.

She was only 15 when she first became involved with Miss Trevi and Mr Andrade, but became pregnant soon after.

It's been alleged that Mr Andrade turned some girls into sex slaves, locking them up and making them drink from his toilets.

The brother of a Mexican senator, Mr Andrade helped Miss Trevi launch her career in the 1990s.

Her first solo album was a huge success, and her cinematic debut in 1991 broke box office records.

Taboos

She soon started posing semi-nude for calendars and broke social taboos by calling for women to have more control over abortion, their sexuality and contraception.

The last confirmed sighting of Miss Trevi came in July in Cuernavaca, near Mexico City where she allegedly threatened a former member of the entourage.

Interpol says that up to nine girls may be in hiding with the pair and are following up possible sightings in Agrentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain.