Two men, including a former senior official of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have been indicted on charges related to narcoterrorism, terrorism, narcotics distribution, and money laundering. The indictment was announced by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Terrance C. Cole, Administrator of the DEA. Paul Campo and Robert Sensi were arrested in New York and are accused of conspiring to support 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.”
“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.”
According to court documents, CJNG is led by Nemesio Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes and operates as a transnational criminal group based in Mexico involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking into the United States as well as money laundering, violence, and intimidation activities. In February 2025, CJNG was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by U.S. authorities under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Paul Campo worked at DEA for about 25 years before retiring as Deputy Chief of Financial Operations in January 2016. In late 2024, Robert Sensi met with an individual cooperating with law enforcement while posing as a member of CJNG. Sensi claimed he had connections from his friend—a former top DEA financial operations official—who could help launder cartel funds and provide sensitive information about ongoing investigations.
Following these meetings, both Campo and Sensi allegedly met several times with this source where they agreed to launder money using cryptocurrency conversions and real estate investments. They also reportedly advised on fentanyl production methods and discussed procuring drones equipped with explosives as well as military-grade weapons for CJNG’s use.
In conversations recorded by investigators, discussions included details about drone payloads capable of carrying explosives such as C-4; one conversation referenced carrying enough material “to blow up” significant targets.
Prosecutors allege that Campo and Sensi agreed to launder approximately $12 million in narcotics proceeds from CJNG; successfully laundered around $750,000 via cryptocurrency; arranged payment for 220 kilograms of cocaine valued at roughly $5 million; with plans for direct profit shares from these transactions plus additional commissions on further laundering activities.
Campo (61) from Oakton, Virginia, and Sensi (75) from Boca Raton, Florida face charges including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism (mandatory minimum sentence: 20 years), conspiracy to distribute cocaine (mandatory minimum: 10 years), providing material support to a designated terrorist organization (maximum: 20 years), and conspiracy to commit money laundering (maximum: 20 years). Sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge if convicted.
Jay Clayton acknowledged assistance from various U.S. Attorney’s Offices across Florida, North Carolina, Virginia as well as federal counterterrorism divisions involved in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Varun A. Gumaste leads prosecution efforts alongside Trial Attorney James Donnelly from DOJ’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges are allegations only; both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
