The person at the center of this case
Drug trafficking conspiracy victims and communities affected by controlled substance distribution
Cold Case · Open
2 years waiting · since 2024
ESTEBAN SINHUE MERCADO
Justice for Drug trafficking conspiracy victims and communities affected by controlled substance distribution — 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 #1Mercado may have recently altered his appearance with long hair and braces—has he been spotted in San Jacinto or nearby areas since January 2024?
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location
Lead #2What specific locations in Los Angeles and San Jacinto were used for drug storage, distribution, or meetings related to the trafficking operation?
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evidence
Lead #3How many kilograms of cocaine and other controlled substances were actually intercepted or seized during the investigation?
Esteban Sinhue Mercado is wanted for his alleged role in a major drug trafficking conspiracy involving the import 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 considered a flight risk with known ties to San Jacinto, California, and may have altered his appearance with long hair and 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 known associates and co-conspirators involved in the Mexico-to-Los Angeles trafficking pipeline?
Have information about any of these leads?
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:June 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 4, 2024
Last Updated:June 14, 2026