A former Obama-era DEA official who resigned after Trump’s election now faces federal charges for allegedly conspiring to launder millions of dollars for one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels.
Story Snapshot
- Paul Campo, high-ranking DEA official under Obama, charged with money laundering conspiracy
- Accused of agreeing to launder millions for Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG)
- Campo left the DEA after Trump’s 2016 election victory
- CJNG ranks among Mexico’s largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations
From Drug Fighter to Alleged Drug Money Launderer
Paul Campo built his career fighting the very criminals he now stands accused of helping. During his tenure as a senior DEA official under the Obama administration, Campo held positions of significant responsibility in America’s war on drugs. His alleged transformation from federal law enforcement officer to cartel money launderer represents one of the most stunning examples of corruption within the nation’s drug enforcement apparatus.
The charges against Campo involve conspiracy to launder money for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, commonly known as CJNG. This organization has emerged as one of Mexico’s most powerful and ruthless criminal enterprises, controlling vast drug trafficking networks that flood American communities with fentanyl, cocaine, and other deadly substances.
Former Obama DEA Official Charged with Agreeing to Launder Millions for Mexican Drug Cartel https://t.co/71U5oXDkq0 via @BreitbartNews
— Ron Rogers-The We Don't Apologize Freedom Page (@RonRogers1956) December 8, 2025
The CJNG Connection and Millions at Stake
Federal prosecutors allege that Campo, working alongside an associate, agreed to help CJNG clean millions of dollars in drug proceeds through sophisticated laundering schemes. The cartel has generated enormous wealth through its extensive operations, requiring complex financial networks to legitimize their blood money. Campo’s alleged involvement suggests the cartel had penetrated the highest levels of American law enforcement.
CJNG’s rise to prominence coincides with the ongoing fentanyl crisis that has devastated American families. The cartel’s business model depends on converting drug profits into clean assets, making money laundering operations essential to their continued success. Campo’s alleged participation in these schemes would have directly enabled the cartel’s ability to expand operations and increase the flow of deadly drugs into American communities.
Timing Raises Serious Questions About Justice Department Oversight
Campo’s departure from the DEA following Trump’s 2016 election victory adds another layer of intrigue to this case. Many Obama administration officials left their positions during the transition, but Campo’s subsequent alleged criminal activity raises troubling questions about the vetting and oversight of senior law enforcement officials during that period.
The enemy is truly within.https://t.co/o5TBGMeg3j
— Susan Sabin (@modeerfrevol) December 8, 2025
The timing suggests that Campo may have been planning his alleged criminal enterprise while still serving in his official capacity, or that he leveraged relationships and knowledge gained through his government service to benefit the cartel. Either scenario represents a catastrophic breach of public trust and highlights potential vulnerabilities in the nation’s drug enforcement infrastructure.
Broader Implications for Law Enforcement Integrity
This case exposes the ongoing challenge of corruption within federal law enforcement agencies. When senior officials responsible for fighting drug cartels instead choose to profit from their operations, it undermines the entire mission of protecting American communities from the scourge of illegal drugs. The alleged betrayal cuts particularly deep given the resources and trust invested in these positions.
Campo’s case also illuminates the sophisticated corruption tactics employed by major drug cartels. CJNG and similar organizations actively seek to compromise law enforcement officials through bribery, blackmail, and other means. Their success in allegedly recruiting a former senior DEA official demonstrates the persistent threat these organizations pose to the integrity of American institutions.
Sources:
Former Obama-Era DEA Official Indicted For Allegedly Aiding Mexican Cartel In $12M Scheme
