The Department of Justice announced that a former top Drug Enforcement Agency official who retired near the end of the Obama administration has been indicted on multiple charges. These include conspiracy to engage in narcoterrorism, money laundering and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole and United States Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York revealed the indictment of Paul Campo in a Friday evening release. They said he agreed to help the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launder $12 million in proceeds from drug trafficking.

The DOJ said that Campo who served as Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations at the DEA also advised CJNG on acquiring drones and assault rifles. This happened after Robert Sensi an associate of Campo put him in touch with a representative of the cartel.

“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.”

Cole said this in the release regarding Campo.

Upon taking office on January 20 President Donald Trump issued several executive orders to address illegal immigration and border security. These included designating the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, the El Salvadoran prison gang MS-13 and Mexican drug cartels including CJNG as foreign terrorist organizations.

According to the indictment the person Campo and Sensi believed was a representative of CJNG was actually a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement.

The indictment alleges that Campo and Sensi met with the CJNG representative to advise them on laundering the funds through cryptocurrency purchases, real estate investments and pre-paid gift cards. They assisted in three transactions involving $750,000.

The indictment states that Campo and Sensi believed that the third and final transaction would trigger a shipment of about $5 million worth of cocaine. They expected to receive a portion of the proceeds.

“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.”

Clayton said this about the case.

If convicted Campo and Sensi could face up to life in prison according to the DOJ release.

Campo serving as Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations means he held one of the highest positions in DEA focused on money matters. He knew exactly how to help cartels hide their cash.

His 25-year career at DEA gave him insider knowledge about how law enforcement tracks drug money. He used this expertise to help criminals evade the very agency he once served.

The timing of his retirement near the end of the Obama administration raises questions about whether he was planning this criminal enterprise while still employed. Did he establish cartel contacts before leaving government service.

Advising CJNG on acquiring drones and assault rifles shows Campo was helping the cartel build military capabilities. These weapons would be used against Mexican authorities and rival cartels.

The undercover operation using a confidential source demonstrates law enforcement suspected Campo before approaching him. They set up a sting operation that caught him red-handed.

Campo’s willingness to help launder $12 million shows the scale of corruption. This was not a small-time scheme but a major operation involving millions.

His advice on using cryptocurrency, real estate and pre-paid gift cards reveals sophisticated money laundering techniques. These are the exact methods DEA teaches agents to look for.

The expectation of receiving a portion of $5 million worth of cocaine proceeds proves Campo’s motivation was pure greed. He betrayed his oath for drug money.

Trump designating CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization elevates charges against anyone helping them. Campo now faces narcoterrorism charges not just drug trafficking.

Administrator Cole’s statement about not looking the other way because someone wore the badge sends a clear message. Corruption will be prosecuted regardless of past service.

The potential life sentence reflects the seriousness of the charges. A former DEA official helping cartels represents one of the worst betrayals imaginable.