Former DEA agent Paul Campo hit with digital assets money laundering charges

A former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent has been charged with cash laundering utilizing digital belongings. In line with an indictment in a federal courtroom in Manhattan, the agent, who agreed to watch the DEA’s monetary actions, was accused of laundering hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.

The indictment famous that he first labored as a DEA particular agent in New York earlier than rising to turn into deputy chief of the Workplace of Monetary Operations. In line with the indictment, Campo had been retired since 2016 and now runs a personal consulting agency.

Former DEA agent handcuffed for cash laundering

In line with the indictment, Campo was accused of laundering greater than $750,000 for the cartel. The paperwork confirmed that he agreed to launder a complete of greater than $12 million, noting that he meant to launder the funds by changing them into digital belongings.

The indictment additionally acknowledged that he paid for roughly 220 kilos of cocaine, with the understanding that the stated medication had been illegally imported into america.

Paul Campo has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to supply materials assist to a terrorist group, conspiracy to distribute narcotics and conspiracy to commit cash laundering.

The indictment acknowledged that in late 2024, Robert Sensi, who’s a co-defendant alongside Campo, started assembly with a confidential legislation enforcement supply posing as a member of CJNG.

Sensi had informed the supply that he had a good friend who was once answerable for the DEA’s monetary operations, and claimed that he might assist the group by laundering narcotics and offering the confidential supply with delicate DEA details about sources and investigations.

After their preliminary conferences, Campo and Sensi met with the supply a number of occasions, with each males agreeing, amongst different issues, to launder cash for the confidential supply.

The indictment revealed that they agreed to launder the cash by changing money into cryptocurrency and investing in actual property utilizing the proceeds from the unlawful actions.

The pair later suggested the supply on fentanyl manufacturing and explored buying weapons and business drones for CJNG, together with grenade launchers, M16 rifles, M4 carbines, AR-15 semi-automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Throughout their conversations, each males usually bragged about Campo’s expertise as a federal legislation enforcement officer.

Campo laundered cash and paid for narcotics

As for the drones, each males informed the confidential supply that they may connect explosives to them and use the explosives to blow issues up.

As a part of the scheme, the pair agreed to launder the narcotics proceeds, efficiently laundering $750,000 by changing them into digital belongings. Additionally they used the laundered cash to pay for cocaine, with the understanding that they may stand up to $5 million out of the deal. Each males have been additionally anticipated to obtain commissions on the sale of the narcotics.

United States Lawyer Jay Clayton emphasised that each males used their monetary experience and legislation enforcement expertise to help CJNG, probably the most infamous Mexican drug cartels accountable for violence and drug trafficking in america.

“The indictment of former Particular Agent Paul Campo sends a robust message: Those that betray the general public belief – previous or current – ​​will probably be held accountable to the fullest extent of the legislation,” stated DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole.