Feds Say Previously-Deported Illegal Became Key Link In Cartel Cash Pipeline, How He Did It

A previously-deported illegal immigrant allegedly ran a $13 million drug money laundering operation through his Oregon barber shop and Mexican grocery stores.

The Department of Justice charged Mexican illegal immigrant Jose Alonso Paramo Arguello, 45, on March 18 with money laundering. Arguello used his Mexican grocery stores in Oregon, Tienda Santa Maria II and Tienda Santa Maria, along with his Paramo’s Barber Shop in the state, to transfer the drug funds to Mexico by sending wire transfers of $500 or more, which is a common tactic of drug traffickers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon.

Arguello allegedly wired more than $7 million to locations in Mexico that are tied to narcotrafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He was voluntarily removed to Mexico in 2003 after sneaking across the border illegally, the Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Wire. He later returned at an unknown time without getting caught.

“He was issued a voluntary return in 2003 and chose to commit a felony by illegally reentering the United States,” said a DHS spokesperson.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service to ensure he’s “never” released, the spokesperson said.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will not allow drug traffickers to profit off killing our children and grandchildren,” the spokesperson added.

Arguello was caught by a government informant, who told the Mexican national he was a drug dealer, to which he responded: “You sell whatever you want, you’re a merchant, period.”

The illegal immigrant allegedly laundered more than $45,000 in what he believed were drug trafficking profits provided by the informant. He sent 22 wire transfers between November 2025 and January 2026 as part of the deal, prosecutors said.

As part of the deal, Arguello allegedly received a 10% commission for his laundering services, which he referred to as a bribe.

A lawyer representing the federal government argued that Arguello was a flight risk and a danger to the public, according to NBC5. The attorney also said there was evidence that the illegal immigrant would try to flee to one of his properties in Mexico if he were to be set free.

He also described Arguello as a “critical cog” merging the domestic drug trade with that of the cartels in Mexico.

On the other hand, Arguello’s legal defense argued that he should be released due to his strong ties to the community and a lack of any past criminal record, NBC5 reported.