Key Takeaways
- A former high-level DEA agent, Paul Campo, has been indicted on federal charges of conspiring to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
- Campo and his associate, Robert Sensi, are accused of converting cash into cryptocurrency to buy 220 kilograms of cocaine and launder $750,000 in proceeds from drug sales
- The indictment alleges that the men agreed to launder at least $12 million for the cartel and were charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and money laundering conspiracy
- Campo, who retired from the DEA in 2016, had risen to deputy chief of the agency’s Office of Financial Operations, putting him in charge of the agency’s money laundering operations
Introduction to the Indictment
A former high-level Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent, Paul Campo, has been indicted on federal charges of conspiring to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for a Mexican cartel. The indictment, which was unsealed on Friday, alleges that Campo and his associate, Robert Sensi, converted cash into cryptocurrency to buy 220 kilograms of cocaine, worth $5 million, and launder $750,000 in proceeds from drug sales for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The CJNG is a notorious cartel that was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department earlier this year.
The Alleged Crimes
Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York allege that Campo and Sensi agreed to launder at least $12 million for the cartel. The indictment states that the men met with a confidential source working at the direction of US law enforcement, who was posing as a member of the cartel. During a meeting in March at a restaurant in New York, the men discussed how to move money from the US to Mexico, including by investing in real estate and smuggling cash in bulk. Campo allegedly told the government source that he had other projects where he helped clients "get their money back," and even flashed his DEA badge to the confidential source, telling him that he retired from the DEA years ago.
Campo’s Background
Campo rose to deputy chief of the DEA’s Office of Financial Operations, putting him in charge of the agency’s money laundering operations. He retired from the DEA in 2016 and went on to found a company called Global Financial Consultants. The company’s bio describes Campo’s experience and expertise in financial operations, but a call and email to the company were not immediately returned. Sensi, on the other hand, could not be reached for comment. The indictment alleges that Campo’s experience and expertise in financial operations were used to facilitate the alleged crimes.
The Investigation
The investigation into Campo and Sensi’s alleged crimes began with a meeting in Tampa, Florida, in March, where prosecutors allege that the men agreed to launder up to $12 million in drug trafficking proceeds. They agreed to start small with an initial transaction of $200,000, according to the indictment. After the first drop in Charlotte, North Carolina, the confidential source said to Sensi, "Welcome to the fucking cartel," according to the indictment. By October, authorities allege, the confidential source approached the men about participating in a drug deal, directing Sensi to send over $200,000 in cryptocurrency to the seller for 220 kilograms of cocaine.
The Sting Operation
The indictment alleges that Campo and others sent more than $200,000 in cryptocurrency to a wallet they believed was controlled by the seller, but was really controlled by the Internal Revenue Service. The confidential source confirmed receipt, according to the indictment, and sent an encrypted message to Campo and Sensi saying, "Wow brothers!! Taking possession of the product NOW!!!." The message was likely a signal to the men that the deal was going forward, but in reality, it was a sting operation set up by law enforcement to catch the men in the act.
Charges and Implications
Campo and Sensi have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to provide material support to CJNG, and money laundering conspiracy. The charges carry significant penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. The indictment is a significant blow to the CJNG, which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department. The case also raises questions about the integrity of the DEA and the ability of former agents to use their expertise and experience for illicit purposes. The investigation and indictment are a reminder of the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and money laundering, and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their background or experience.