The person at the center of this case
Esteban Sinhue Mercado (fugitive)
Cold Case · Open
2 years waiting · since 2024
ESTEBAN SINHUE MERCADO
Justice for Esteban Sinhue Mercado (fugitive) — the trail went cold in 2024, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What is Mercado's current location and identity of his associates in the trafficking network?
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evidence
Lead #2How many kilograms of cocaine and controlled substances were successfully trafficked through this conspiracy?
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location
Lead #3Why does Mercado have ties to San Jacinto, California, and who else operates in that area?
Esteban Sinhue Mercado is wanted by the FBI for his alleged role in a major drug trafficking conspiracy involving the importation of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and other controlled substances from Mexico through Los Angeles for distribution to Canada and throughout the United States. A federal arrest warrant was issued on January 4, 2024, in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Mercado remains at large and may be in the San Jacinto, California area; he may now have long hair and braces on his teeth.
Case
#1170
FBI - United States District Court, Central District of California
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4Who are the key distributors and recipients of the controlled substances in Canada and across the United States?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances Caution: Esteban Sinhue Mercado is wanted for his alleged role in conspiring to traffic and import hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and other controlled substances from Mexico through Los Angeles, California, for export to Canada or re-distribution throughout the United States. On January 4, 2024, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Mercado in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California, after he was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances.
Remarks: Mercado has ties to or may visit San Jacinto, California. He may have long hair now and also has braces on his teeth.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2024-01-04
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
Esteban Sinhue Mercado charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances in U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 4, 2024
Last Updated:September 4, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 4, 2024
Last Updated:September 4, 2026