Former Obama DEA Official Charged with Laundering Money for Mexican Drug Cartel

Former DEA Official Indicted for Drug-Related Crimes

The Justice Department has revealed that a former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) official, who retired towards the end of the Obama administration, is facing multiple charges. These include conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

This announcement came from DEA Administrator Terrence C. Cole and Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During a statement on Friday night, they discussed Paul Campo’s alleged involvement in aiding the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in laundering $12 million gained from drug trafficking activities. According to the Justice Department, Campo, who held the position of deputy director at the DEA’s Office of Financial Services, also provided guidance to the CJNG concerning the acquisition of drones and assault rifles, facilitated by his colleague Robert Sensi, who connected him to cartel representatives.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton remarked, “As alleged, the former DEA agents betrayed the public’s trust and conspired to support CJNG, a cartel known for its extreme violence, alongside engaging in money laundering and cocaine trafficking in New York City.”

Cole added, “While the alleged actions occurred after he left the DEA and are unrelated to his official responsibilities, former agents who opt for criminal activities dishonor their colleagues who serve with integrity and damage public trust in law enforcement. I won’t ignore this just because someone once wore a badge—there’s no tolerance for this level of betrayal.”

The indictment claims that Campo and Sensi believed they were dealing with actual CJNG representatives, who were reportedly confidential sources acting under law enforcement guidance.

Furthermore, the allegations suggest that Campo and Sensi met with these supposed cartel members, advising them on issues like cryptocurrency purchases, real estate investments, and money laundering through prepaid gift cards. They facilitated three transactions involving $750,000, with the final deal supposedly shipping approximately $5 million worth of cocaine, from which they expected to gain a share of the profits.

Clayton said, “By getting involved in this operation, Campo undermined the mission he dedicated 25 years of his career to at the DEA. CJNG is a violent, corrupt organization, and it is crucial for New Yorkers that it is dismantled. I commend the DEA for its vigorous efforts to target CJNG and its supporters, regardless of who they are.”