Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Two men, including a former high-ranking official of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have been indicted in New York on charges related to narcoterrorism, terrorism, drug distribution, and money laundering. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole announced that Paul Campo and Robert Sensi were arrested in New York following an investigation into their alleged support for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a Mexican criminal organization.
“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 added: “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.”
According to court documents, CJNG operates as a transnational criminal group based in Mexico under Nemesio Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes. The organization is involved in trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, as well as money laundering and acts of violence both within Mexico and into the United States.
Paul Campo served at DEA for about 25 years before retiring as Deputy Chief of Financial Operations in January 2016. In late 2024, Robert Sensi began meeting with an undercover informant posing as a CJNG member working with law enforcement. Sensi allegedly offered assistance from his associate—a retired DEA official—in laundering cartel proceeds and providing sensitive information about ongoing investigations.
Investigators allege that Campo and Sensi agreed together to launder large sums by converting cash into cryptocurrency or investing it into real estate projects on behalf of CJNG contacts introduced by law enforcement sources acting undercover. They also discussed fentanyl production techniques with undercover agents while exploring options for procuring military-grade weapons—including AR-15 rifles—and drones capable of carrying explosives.
In one exchange regarding drones outfitted with explosives, an undercover agent described using them for attacks; Sensi responded by estimating such drones could carry enough explosive material “to blow up” significant targets.
The indictment states that Campo and Sensi agreed to launder approximately $12 million belonging to CJNG; they are accused of having actually converted around $750,000 into cryptocurrency as part of these operations. They also allegedly facilitated payment arrangements involving over 200 kilograms of cocaine worth roughly $5 million.
Campo (61) from Oakton, Virginia, and Sensi (75) from Boca Raton, Florida face several charges: conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism (mandatory minimum sentence 20 years up to life), conspiracy to distribute cocaine (minimum 10 years up to life), providing material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (up to 20 years), and conspiracy to commit money laundering (up to 20 years). Sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge if they are convicted.
Jay Clayton acknowledged cooperation from multiple federal offices including those in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia as well as sections within DOJ’s National Security Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Varun A. Gumaste leads prosecution efforts alongside Trial Attorney James Donnelly from DOJ’s Counterterrorism Section.
The indictment consists only of allegations; both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
