A former top-ranking official with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Paul Campo, has been arrested and charged federal authorities following accusations that he conspired to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for a powerful Mexican cartel.
Campo, who served as the DEA deputy chief in charge of financial operations, is alleged by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to have orchestrated a money laundering operation worth up to $12 million for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), designated a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year. Campo spent nearly 25 years at the DEA before leaving and allegedly founded Global Financial Consultants, his previous company.
The charges unsealed Friday also implicated Robert Sensi, the alleged co-conspirator. According to court documents obtained by CNN, authorities allege that Campo and Sensi met with a confidential source working for US law enforcement as part of an undercover operation targeting CJNG. During this meeting at a New York City restaurant in March, they allegedly discussed moving funds from the U.S. to Mexico.
Prosecutors state that Campo admitted during the hearing he previously worked for the DEA but claimed retirement years ago and flashed his DEA badge at the government source when asked about past experience with client money laundering services. The indictment further alleges that Campo offered to launder proceeds specifically generated by CJNG drug sales, despite having retired from federal service.
Both Campo (61) and Sensi (75) allegedly committed multiple offenses: they conspired to commit narcoterrorism; conspiring to distribute controlled substances; money laundering for the cartel; and providing material support. The investigation revealed that while authorities did not uncover CJNG’s actual narcotics proceeds, $750,000 was laundered into cryptocurrency according to the indictment.
The US Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the severity of the offense: “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…”
They face severe consequences should they be found guilty. The maximum penalty if convicted on the narcoterrorism charge could include life imprisonment.