DEA Raid In Oakton: Former Executive Accused Of Laundering Money For Cartel

Updated at 1:35 p.m.

OAKTON, VA — Paul Campo, a former Drug Enforcement Administration executive whose Oakton home was raided by federal agents on Thursday, is accused of agreeing to launder millions of dollars for a Mexican drug cartel, according to court records.

Campo laundered about $750,000 for the cartel by converting cash into cryptocurrency, and agreed to launder far more — $12 million in all," according to a criminal indictment.

The cartel paid for about 220 kilograms of cocaine, which Campo understood had been delivered to the U.S., court records said.

On Friday, a federal indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York, charged Campo and Robert Sensi, an associate from Boca Raton, Florida, with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, providing material support to an organization engaged in terrorist activities or terrorism;and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Beginning in December 2024, Campo and Sensi met with a confidential informant, who was working with law enforcement officers investigating the cartel, which the U.S. Department of State designated as a terrorist organization, according to the indictment.

During a series of meetings with the informant, Campo and Sensi discussed money laundering, drug trafficking and drug manufacturing, as well as providing firearms and explosive devices for the cartel, authorities said.

Sensi told the informant that Campo had been in charge of the DEA’s financial operations, claiming that Campo had connections within the agency, including its top leadership, the court document says. Sensi also claimed Campo could launder narcotics proceeds and could provide sensitive DEA information about sources and investigations.

The indictment also said Campo and Sensi agreed to launder money for the cartel by various means, including converting cash into cryptocurrency and investing in real estate.

“Campo and Sensi also agreed to explore procuring commercial drones and military-grade weapons and equipment … including AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, M4 carbines, M16 rifles, grenade launches, and rocket propelled grenades,” according to the indictment.

On Thursday around noon, a caravan of unmarked SUVs with Virginia and Maryland plates driven by DEA agents wearing tactical vests left Nottoway Park outside of the Town of Vienna and drove to 2699 Gray St. in Oakton, a witness told Patch.

Fairfax County real estate records list Campo as the home's owner.

About 15 unmarked cars, including some with emergency lights, set up a perimeter around the property.

"One unmarked white sprinter van was present, pulled over to the side of Blake Lane and a dark-colored Nissan Murano with flashing red and blue lights blocked the entrance to Gray Street," according to the witness. "Officers holding the perimeter were spread out across the street, sidewalk, and adjacent lawns. They were wearing either full tactical gear and vests marked with 'police' or were in more casual wear with DEA vests."

A neighbor confirmed that DEA agents wore camouflage and carried rifles as they surrounded the house.

Campo is the founder of Global Financial Consultants, which provides in-depth financial consultant services to financial institutions, according to his biography on the company's website. In that role, he attends the quarterly meetings of the board of directors of the Electronic Warfare Associates. He also holds a security clearance.

Related: Armed DEA Agents, Federal Officers Gather At Fairfax Park

Prior to founding CFC in 2016, Campo had a 25-year career as a DEA special agent and was appointed in February 2013 to serve as deputy chief of the Office of Financial Operations. In that role, he oversaw more than $17 million in DEA funding and was responsible for worldwide money laundering operations, according to his bio.

Campo also represented DEA before Congress, the banking industry, money service businesses, as well as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Office of Foreign Asset Control, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Treasury, the National Security Council, his bio said.

“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.”