A former top-level official at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Paul Campo, has been indicted and arrested following accusations that he plotted to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York allege Campo and his associate Robert Sensi conspired to launder substantial proceeds from drug sales intended for the CJNG. The indictment further states they aimed to convert large sums of cash, potentially up to $12 million, into cryptocurrency specifically to purchase 220 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $5 million.

According to court documents, Campo and Sensi reportedly met with a confidential informant allegedly working at the direction of US law enforcement for the purpose of infiltrating the CJNG. The alleged meeting in March took place at a New York restaurant where they discussed moving funds from the United States to Mexico via various means, including real estate investments and bulk cash smuggling.

The authorities also contend that Campo utilized his DEA background to gain trust during their dealings with the cartel informant, flashing his DEA badge while misleadingly stating he had retired years prior. Campo’s official bio indicates he was previously in charge of the DEA’s financial operations concerning drug money laundering before co-founding Global Financial Consultants post-retirement.

In addition to the alleged drug trafficking plot, prosecutors claim Campo and Sensi laundered at least $750,000 for the CJNG through cryptocurrency transactions. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are currently detained awaiting further proceedings.

The US Attorney’s statement highlights that by participating in this scheme, Campo allegedly betrayed his long-standing DEA career mission to combat narcotics trafficking effectively. The maximum potential sentence if found guilty on the conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism charge could be life imprisonment.