Two men, including a former senior official of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have been indicted on charges related to narcoterrorism, terrorism, narcotics distribution, and money laundering. Paul Campo and Robert Sensi were arrested in New York following an investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
According to prosecutors, Campo and Sensi conspired to support the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a Mexican criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization earlier this year. The indictment alleges that both men agreed to launder millions of dollars they believed were drug proceeds from CJNG, provided advice on fentanyl production, and discussed procuring weapons and equipment 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. “As part of that support, the defendants laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars they believed to be CJNG drug proceeds, agreed to launder millions more, and even agreed to use their financial expertise to facilitate cocaine trafficking right here in New York City. 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. I commend the extraordinary efforts of the DEA in aggressively pursuing CJNG and those who support their deadly and corrupt efforts, no matter who they may be.”
DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole commented on Campo’s arrest: “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. The alleged conduct occurred after he left DEA and was unrelated to his official duties here, but any former agent who chooses to engage in criminal activity dishonors the men and women who serve with integrity and undermines the public’s confidence in law enforcement. 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.”
Campo served at DEA for about 25 years before retiring as Deputy Chief of Financial Operations in January 2016.
The indictment describes meetings between Sensi—who began contact with an undercover source posing as a CJNG member—and Campo where both allegedly offered services such as laundering cash into cryptocurrency or real estate investments. They also discussed providing sensitive information from past law enforcement experience.
During these meetings, there were conversations about using drones equipped with explosives; when asked how much C-4 explosive could be carried by such drones, Sensi reportedly replied it could carry enough “to blow up” significant targets.
Prosecutors allege that Campo and Sensi agreed to launder approximately $12 million in drug proceeds for CJNG; actually laundered around $750,000; facilitated payment related to over 200 kilograms of cocaine; and expected profits from these transactions.
Both defendants face multiple charges: conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism (with mandatory minimum sentences), conspiracy involving cocaine distribution (also carrying mandatory minimums), providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization (up to 20 years), and money laundering conspiracy (up to 20 years). Sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge if convictions are secured.
U.S. Attorney Clayton acknowledged assistance from several other federal offices involved in building this case.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Varun A. Gumaste with help from Trial Attorney James Donnelly.
All allegations remain unproven at this stage; both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
