Ex-DEA Agent Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering for Mexican Cartel
A former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent has been indicted on serious federal charges involving drug trafficking and money laundering for a notorious Mexican cartel. Paul Campo, who served with the DEA for almost 25 years, is facing allegations alongside his associate, Robert Sensi.
Charges Against Former DEA Agent
Campo and Sensi’s indictment was unsealed recently, revealing accusations that they conspired to facilitate the transfer of significant amounts of cash into cryptocurrency. They allegedly used these funds to purchase an estimated 220 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $5 million, for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Details of the Allegations
- Campo and Sensi are charged with converting drug sale proceeds into cryptocurrency.
- Prosecutors claim they discussed methods of moving money from the U.S. to Mexico.
- They initially committed to laundering $12 million for the cartel.
- Campo allegedly claimed to have experience in helping clients recover their money.
The CJNG was designated by the U.S. State Department as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year. According to the indictment, the former agents met with a confidential source who posed as a cartel member, discussing money laundering strategies during a meeting in March at a restaurant in New York.
Initial Transactions and Further Developments
At a separate meeting in Tampa, Florida, Campo and Sensi agreed to commence their operations with a smaller transaction of $200,000. Following the initial drop in Charlotte, North Carolina, the confidential source referred to their dealings with a notable exclamation, marking their entry into the cartel framework.
By October, the confidential source allegedly prompted Campo and Sensi to engage in a drug deal, directing Sensi to transfer $200,000 in cryptocurrency for the cocaine purchase. Believing they were sending funds to a legitimate seller, the money was actually directed to a wallet monitored by the Internal Revenue Service.
Specific Charges Faced by Campo and Sensi
Both Campo and Sensi are facing multiple serious charges, including:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Conspiracy to distribute narcotics
- Conspiracy to provide material support to CJNG
- Money laundering conspiracy
As the case develops, Campo’s previous position as deputy chief of the DEA’s Office of Financial Operations highlights the severity of the charges against him. He retired from the DEA in 2016 and later founded Global Financial Consultants. As of now, authorities have not received any comment from Campo, and attempts to reach Sensi have also been unsuccessful.
