The person at the center of this case
Drug Trafficking Investigation - Public Safety
Cold Case · Open - Wanted
2 years waiting · since 2024
ESTEBAN SINHUE MERCADO
Justice for Drug Trafficking Investigation - Public Safety — the trail went cold in 2024, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Mercado currently hiding? He has ties to San Jacinto, California and may frequent that area.
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific routes and methods were used to traffic cocaine and controlled substances from Mexico through Los Angeles?
📞
contact
Lead #3Who are the known associates and co-conspirators in this drug trafficking network?
Esteban Sinhue Mercado is 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 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 hiding in California; he may now have long hair and braces on his teeth.
Case
#1170
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. 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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Mercado may now have long hair and braces on his teeth—has anyone spotted someone matching this updated description?
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 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 in the 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 7, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 4, 2024
Last Updated:June 7, 2026