Photo: United States Federal Government - FBI · Public domain
Born in Mexico · Nationality Mexican — organised crime / drug trafficking / financial networks / fugitive
Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “US federal fugitive status and reward of up to 5 million dollars” and “2014–2026: death reported but never officially confirmed; fugitive case remains active”.
Profile No. 2679 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
Case · 2 documented stages
années 2000–2026
Esparragoza Moreno is wanted by the FBI for conspiracy to import controlled substances, conspiracy to possess them with intent to distribute and importation of controlled substances. A reward of up to 5 million dollars remains advertised.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
June 2014–September 2026
Media outlets and relatives reported in June 2014 that Esparragoza had reportedly died of a heart attack following an accident. The PGR and security services stated that they had no evidence confirming his death. Twelve years later, the FBI still maintains an active wanted notice in his name.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
années 2000–2014
The FBI and State Department described Esparragoza Moreno as a Sinaloa cartel leader and attributed the importation of more than 14 tonnes of marijuana into the United States to the organisation he headed.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
July 2012–2014
The US Treasury targeted an extensive economic infrastructure linked to Esparragoza: petrol stations, property development, a shopping centre, an industrial park, companies and members of his family. OFAC maintained that drug trafficking proceeds had been used to build this network.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
29 May 2003
The US government identified Esparragoza Moreno as a significant foreign drug trafficker under the Kingpin Act, freezing assets under US jurisdiction and prohibiting transactions with him.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
1993–1997
After his release from prison, Esparragoza joined the Juárez cartel, where the US State Department described him as operations chief and subsequently second-in-command under Amado Carrillo Fuentes.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
Case · 2 documented stages
March 1986–1993
Arrested in 1986 in the aftermath of the Camarena affair, Esparragoza was imprisoned and sentenced to seven years and two months. Sources indicate that the case concerned drugs, while his participation in Camarena's murder was alleged but denied by him. He regained his freedom in 1993.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
années 1970–milieu des années 1980
Esparragoza worked for the Dirección Federal de Seguridad before joining Félix Gallardo's criminal network. US authorities describe him as one of the founders or historical leaders of the Guadalajara cartel.
Last verified: 14 September 2026
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