Ex-DEA Agent Paul Campo Faces Digital Assets Money Laundering Charges in 2025

Former federal narcotics agent Paul Campo now finds himself on the other side of the law—charged with laundering illicit funds through digital assets. The case highlights the evolving battleground where old-school crime meets new-age finance.

The Digital Paper Trail

Prosecutors allege Campo leveraged cryptocurrency networks to obscure the origin of funds. The methods reportedly bypassed traditional banking safeguards, exploiting the pseudo-anonymous nature of certain blockchain transactions. It's a stark reminder that the tools for financial innovation can be repurposed for financial obfuscation.

A Regulatory Wake-Up Call

This isn't just another crypto crime story. The defendant's background in federal law enforcement adds a layer of irony and raises pointed questions about internal oversight. When the people trained to police the system allegedly exploit its newest vulnerabilities, it signals a profound institutional challenge. Regulators are watching—and likely scrambling to update their playbooks.

The compliance gap isn't a bug in the system; for some, it's a feature. After all, what's the point of having a decentralized, borderless financial network if you can't make your old-fashioned illicit gains look like a savvy, if slightly late, investment in the next big meme coin?

The case cuts to the core of the crypto debate: technology is neutral, but human nature isn't. As the trial unfolds, it will test the robustness of current financial crime statutes against digital asset frameworks. One thing's certain—the verdict will ripple far beyond the courtroom.

Former DEA agent cuffed for money laundering

According to the indictment, Campo was accused of laundering more than $750,000 for the cartel. The documents showed that he agreed to launder more than $12 million in total, noting that he was planning to launder the funds by converting them into digital assets.

The indictment also stated that he provided payments for about 220 kilograms of cocaine, upon the understanding that the said drugs had been imported into the United States via illegal means.

Paul Campo has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The indictment stated that in late 2024, Robert Sensi, who is a co-defendant alongside Campo, started meeting with a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement, who was posing as a member of CJNG.

Sensi had told the source that he had a friend who used to be in charge of the DEA’s financial operations, claiming that he could assist the group by laundering narcotics and providing the confidential source with sensitive DEA information about sources and investigations.

After their initial meetings, Campo and Sensi met with the source on several occasions, with both men agreeing to launder funds for the confidential source, among other things.

The indictment showed that they agreed to launder the funds by converting cash into cryptocurrency and making investments in real estate using proceeds from the illicit activities.

The pair later advised the source about fentanyl production and explored procuring weapons and commercial drones for CJNG, including grenade launchers, M16 rifles, M4 carbines, AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades. During their discussions, both men often boasted about Campo’s experience as a federal law enforcement officer.

Campo laundered funds and paid for narcotics

Regarding the drones, both men told the confidential source that they could attach explosives to them and use the explosives to blow up things.

As part of the scheme, the pair agreed to launder the narcotics proceeds, successfully laundering $750k by converting it into digital assets. They also used the laundered funds to pay for cocaine with the understanding that they could get up to $5 million from the deal. Both men were also expected to receive commissions upon the sale of the narcotics.

United States Attorney Jay Clayton highlighted that both men used their financial expertise and experience working with law enforcement to assist CJNG, one of the most notorious Mexican drug cartels responsible for violence and drug trafficking in the United States.

“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.

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