The person at the center of this case
Esteban Sinhue Mercado (fugitive suspect)
Cold Case · Open
2 years waiting · since 2024
ESTEBAN SINHUE MERCADO
Justice for Esteban Sinhue Mercado (fugitive suspect) — the trail went cold in 2024, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Current whereabouts of Mercado; he may have changed appearance with long hair and braces
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location
Lead #2Why does Mercado have ties to San Jacinto, California? Is it a safe house or family connection?
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evidence
Lead #3What is the scope of the drug trafficking network and who are his co-conspirators?
Esteban Sinhue Mercado is a fugitive wanted 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 to Canada and the United States. A federal arrest warrant was issued on January 4, 2024, in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. He is believed to have ties to San Jacinto, California, and may now have long hair and dental braces.
Case
#1170
United States District Court, Central District of California; FBI
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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.
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contact
Lead #4Who are the key contacts in the Mexico-to-Canada supply chain that Mercado coordinated?
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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
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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 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 4, 2024
Last Updated:September 12, 2026