Former DEA agent charged in shocking plot to launder millions for Mexican cartel
Paul Campo, 61, of Oakton, Virginia, who retired in 2016 after 25 years with the DEA, and his partner, Robert Sensi, 75, of Boca Raton, Florida, were indicted by a Manhattan federal grand jury on charges including narcoterrorism, providing material support to terrorists, drug distribution conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
The scheme reportedly involved converting $750,000 of cartel cash into cryptocurrency and laundering up to $12 million in narcotics proceeds.
Paul Campo and Robert Sensi appeared before a magistrate judge in New York on Friday afternoon; where the judge ordered them detained without bail due to the seriousness of the charges and flight risk concerns. Their attorneys entered not guilty pleas on their behalf at a hearing in the Southern District of New York
Career betrayal and cartel ties
Campo began his DEA career as a special agent in New York and rose to become deputy chief of the Financial Operations Bureau, overseeing the agency’s financial investigations into drug money laundering.
Federal authorities in the Southern District of New York conducted a sting operation in late 2024, deploying a law enforcement-directed confidential source (CS) posing as a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
CS contacted Robert Sensi, who vouched for Paul Campo’s expertise and drew the former DEA deputy chief into discussions about drug money laundering and providing strategic support using his insider knowledge of agency operations. In March 2025, Campo and Sensi met CS, where Campo allegedly flashed his old DEA badge, bragged about his law enforcement background, and offered to act as a “strategist” for the cartel by sharing tips on evading investigations. A follow-up meeting solidified plans to launder up to $12 million, starting with a $200,000 purchase in Charlotte, North Carolina.
By October 2025, CS offered to purchase 220 kilograms of cocaine worth $5 million, instructing Sensi to transfer over $200,000 in cryptocurrency to an IRS-controlled wallet; Campo and Sensi complied and received a cryptic confirmation: “Wow bros! I’m getting my hands on the product NOW!!!”
Prosecutors collected hours of audio recordings from those interactions, as well as cellphone location data, emails and surveillance footage, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Varun Gumaste presented in court as “horrific and alarming” evidence.
FAQ
What methods did Campo and Sensi allegedly use for laundering?
They converted $750,000 in cash into cryptocurrency and planned larger transfers; this is a common tactic to hide pharmaceutical profits, and they also provide advice on fentanyl production and weapons like AR-15s and grenade launchers.
Why was CJNG designated as a terrorist group?
The State Department labeled the CJNG a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025 for its violence, bribery, and drug trafficking, elevating the charges against supporters like Campo to the category of narcoterrorism.
