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Ex-DEA Official Pleads Not Guilty in SDNY Case Alleging CJNG Laundering and Weapons Plot

The case stems from an undercover sting using law‑enforcement‑controlled crypto wallets, alleging $750,000 converted with a plan to wash $12 million.

Overview

  • A grand jury indictment unsealed in Manhattan charges Paul Campo and Robert Sensi with conspiracies for narcoterrorism, narcotics distribution, material support to a terrorist organization, and money laundering.
  • At their initial appearance in federal court, both defendants entered not‑guilty pleas, were denied release, and received a next court date of December 19.
  • Prosecutors say the pair agreed to launder up to $12 million and converted about $750,000 in cash to cryptocurrency through accounts controlled by U.S. authorities.
  • The indictment alleges a payment tied to roughly 220 kilograms of cocaine, with more than $200,000 in crypto sent to a wallet run by the IRS as part of a proposed $5 million sale that promised the defendants a 30% cut.
  • Investigators say the men discussed procuring commercial drones and military‑grade weapons for CJNG, including AR‑15 and M16 rifles, M4 carbines, grenade launchers, and rocket‑propelled grenades.