Jose Alonso Paramo Arguello, a 45-year-old Mexican citizen unlawfully residing in the United States, was charged with money laundering on Mar. 18 after allegedly using his Oregon-based businesses to transfer millions of dollars in narcotics trafficking proceeds to Mexico.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to disrupt financial operations linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. According to court documents, Arguello owns Tienda Santa Maria II in Phoenix, Tienda Santa Maria in Medford, and Paramos Barber Shop in Central Point. Authorities allege he used these businesses to break down large sums into smaller wire transfers and used false sender information to conceal the source of funds.
From January 2024 through December 2025, more than $13 million was transferred from Arguello’s businesses to Mexico via wire transfers of $500 or more. Of this amount, over $7 million reportedly went to locations associated with narcotics trafficking. An informant working with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit told Arguello he was a drug dealer; Arguello responded, “You sell whatever you want, you’re a merchant, period.” Between November 2025 and January 2026, Arguello laundered over $45,000—represented as drug proceeds—through 22 wire transfers while taking a 10% commission he referred to as a bribe.
Arguello appeared before a U.S. Magistrate judge and was ordered detained pending further proceedings scheduled for March 23 in Medford. The investigation is being led by IRS-CI with support from Homeland Security Investigations, the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Cardani and Julia Jarrett are prosecuting the case.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The task force brings together agencies such as FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard and others under the leadership of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Scott Bradford has served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon after holding roles including Chief of the White Collar Unit and Acting Chief of Counterintelligence and Export Control Section according to the official website. The office engages in community outreach across Oregon according to its official website, maintains offices in Portland, Eugene and Medford according to its official website, employs 107 staff members according to its official website, operates under the Department of Justice as one of 93 such offices nationwide according to its official website, and seeks justice by representing the United States in civil and criminal matters while fostering trust in the federal judicial system according to its official website.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
