The person at the center of this case
Sergio Luis Martinez-Varela (fugitive subject)
Cold Case · Open
20 years waiting · since 2006
SERGIO LUIS MARTINEZ-VARELA
Justice for Sergio Luis Martinez-Varela (fugitive subject) — the trail went cold in 2006, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1What is Martinez-Varela's current location and how has he evaded capture for nearly two decades?
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location
Lead #2What specific connections does Martinez-Varela have in Mexico and are they still active?
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evidence
Lead #3What role did Martinez-Varela play in the drug trafficking and money laundering enterprise?
Sergio Luis Martinez-Varela is a fugitive charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, money laundering, and aiding and abetting as part of a major drug trafficking investigation in the Chicago area between 2004 and 2006. An arrest warrant was issued on October 3, 2006, by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois after he evaded capture during the multi-agency investigation that resulted in 23 total charges. Martinez-Varela is believed to have connections in Mexico and remains at large.
Case
#668
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division
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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.
👤
person
Lead #4Are any of the other 22 charged individuals still fugitives or have they been apprehended?
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 Controlled Substance; Money Laundering; Aiding and Abetting Caution: Between April and December of 2004, the FBI, along with numerous local, state, and federal agencies, conducted an extensive investigation targeting an illegal drug trafficking and money laundering enterprise in the Chicago area. Of the 23 individuals charged as a result of this investigation, a handful of fugitives remain, including Sergio Luis Martinez-Varela.
An arrest warrant was issued on October 3, 2006, by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, after Martinez-Varela was charged federally with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, money laundering, and aiding and abetting. Remarks: Martinez-Varela has connections in Mexico.
Timeline of Events
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2004-04-01
Multi-agency investigation begins
FBI and numerous local, state, and federal agencies begin extensive investigation into illegal drug trafficking and money laundering enterprise in Chicago area
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2004-12-31
Investigation concludes
Investigation targeting the drug trafficking and money laundering operation concludes with 23 individuals charged
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2006-10-03
Arrest warrant issued
Arrest warrant issued by United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division for conspiracy to distribute controlled substance, money laundering, and aiding and abetting
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2004
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2004
Last Updated:September 27, 2026