A federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York has indicted Paul Campo, the former Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations for the DEA under the Obama administration, and his associate Robert Sensi on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and providing material support to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a Mexican drug cartel designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State.
“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.”
The indictment, unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, alleges that from December 2024 through November 2025, Campo and Sensi participated in a scheme to launder approximately $12 million in narcotics proceeds for the CJNG cartel.
The DOJ claims the Campo and Sensi successfully laundered $750,000 by converting cash into cryptocurrency and facilitated payment for the importation of about 220 kilograms of cocaine into the United States, valued at approximately $5 million. Additionally, they allegedly advised a purported CJNG cartel member on fentanyl production techniques and the procurement of commercial drones, firearms, and explosive devices, including AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, M4 carbines, M16 rifles, grenade launchers, and rocket-propelled grenades. In one discussion, the source described using drones to carry explosives, and Sensi estimated they could hold about six kilograms of C-4, sufficient to cause significant destruction.
“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,” said DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole. “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, 61, of Oakton, Virginia, who retired from the DEA in January 2016, is accused of leveraging his 25-year DEA career—including roles as a Special Agent in New York, Acting Regional Director for Europe and Africa, Acting Chief of the Office of Congressional Affairs, and Executive Assistant for the Office of Chief Counsel—to build trust with CJNG operatives.
Sensi, 75, of Boca Raton, Florida, described as an associate of Campo, allegedly facilitated initial contacts and handled cryptocurrency transfers.
The indictment states that Campo boasted about his expertise during discussions, providing sensitive information on investigations and sources.
Campo holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and received numerous accolades, including the DEA Administrator’s Award for Exceptional Service. He represented the DEA before Congress, financial institutions, and international bodies like INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force, and provided briefings to high-level officials on drug money laundering and threat finance.
The CJNG, a Mexico-based transnational criminal group overseen by Nemesio Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes and formed around 2011 from remnants of the Milenio and Sinaloa cartels, is accused of controlling a significant portion of the narcotics trafficking trade, including the illicit transport of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances into the United States from sources in China and South America. The cartel also engages in money laundering, violence, intimidation, extortion, and migrant smuggling. It was designated a foreign terrorist organization on February 20, 2025, under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The indictment includes four counts: narco-terrorism conspiracy under Title 21, U.S. Code, Section 960a, which carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison; conspiracy to distribute narcotics under Title 21, Section 846, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life; conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization under Title 18, Section 2339B, with a maximum of 20 years; and conspiracy to commit money laundering under Title 18, Section 1956(h), with a maximum of 20 years.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets traceable to the alleged offenses, including any property involved in the money laundering scheme.
Both Campo and Sensi were arrested on December 4, 2025, following raids on their residences.
Author: Mario Lotmore
