Accusations of Financial and Material Support
A former senior Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent who once oversaw the agency’s financial operations has been indicted for conspiring to launder millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds for Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
Paul Campo, who served the DEA for 25 years and rose to become Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations, is accused of laundering $750,000 in cartel cash by converting it into cryptocurrency and agreeing to launder an additional $12 million. Prosecutors say Campo also facilitated a payment for 220 kilograms of cocaine, valued at roughly $5 million, while boasting of his prior law enforcement expertise.
Campo, alongside co-defendant Robert Sensi, allegedly met with a confidential source posing as a CJNG operative in late 2024. The indictment details how the two men offered to channel cartel money through real estate investments, advised on fentanyl production, and even explored procuring military-grade weapons and drones for the cartel.
“As alleged, Paul Campo and Robert Sensi conspired to assist CJNG, one of the most notorious Mexican cartels that is responsible for countless deaths through violence and drug trafficking in the United States and Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “By participating in this scheme, Campo betrayed the mission he was entrusted with pursuing for his 25-year career with the DEA. CJNG is a violent and corrupting criminal enterprise that New Yorkers want broken.”
DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole emphasized the gravity of the charges: “The indictment of former Special Agent Paul Campo sends a powerful message: those who betray the public trust—past or present—will be held to account to the fullest extent of the law. We will not look the other way simply because someone once wore this badge. There is no tolerance and no excuse for this kind of betrayal.”
Charges and Prior Career
Campo’s career included high-profile assignments in New York, Rome, and Milan, as well as leadership roles in DEA’s congressional affairs and financial operations. He represented the agency before Congress, the Treasury, and international organizations such as Interpol and the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF).
Now, prosecutors say, the same expertise he once used to combat money laundering was turned toward aiding one of the world’s most violent cartels. Campo faces charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
If convicted, Campo could face decades in prison.
FAQ ❓
- Who is Paul Campo? A former DEA official who oversaw financial operations and later ran a consulting firm.
- What charges does he face? Campo is indicted for narco‑terrorism, drug trafficking, material support to a cartel, and money laundering.
- Which cartel was involved? Prosecutors say Campo conspired with Mexico’s CJNG, a violent cartel active in the U.S. and abroad.
- What is the global impact? Authorities warn the case highlights cross‑border cartel financing risks and the need for stronger oversight worldwide.
