Arrested on Charges of Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering
Identified as the Leader of a Large-Scale Drug Crime Organization
In Brazil, a female influencer has been identified as the leader of an organization involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, and has been arrested by the police.
Brazilian influencer Melissa Saide (23) was recently arrested locally on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. Photo by Melissa Saide Instagram
Recently, the New York Post reported that "Brazilian influencer Melissa Saide (23), who was on the run in a swimsuit, was arrested on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering."
According to the report, Saide, who has 340,000 followers on Instagram, went into hiding after a large-scale police raid in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, on the 22nd (local time), but was later apprehended. She has been identified as the head of a large criminal organization involved in marijuana distribution and money laundering.
Saide is accused of leading the smuggling of illegal drugs in the Bahia and Sao Paulo regions and actively instructing her followers on how to evade law enforcement. Brazilian police tracked her down to a friend's house through surveillance and intelligence operations and arrested her.
The police have been tracking Saide since last year. At that time, she was caught at an airport with drugs and subsequently used social networking services (SNS) to share tips on how to avoid detection while transporting drugs. She also promoted her activities by distributing marijuana kits on the streets.
In this operation, police arrested three accomplices of Saide. One of them was indicted for possessing approximately 1.4 kilograms of processed products containing highly concentrated marijuana. Police also seized electronic scales, plastic bags, mobile phones, bank cards, and two vehicles suspected of being used in the crimes. Saide, who has advocated for marijuana legalization, went into hiding during the raid but was apprehended by police the following day.
Hernandes Junior, head of the Bahia State Narcotics Division, stated, "The goal of this operation is to eradicate drug trafficking centered around influencers who promote criminal activity. She not only encouraged drug use but was also found to have directly sold and distributed drugs in the Bahia region and maintained connections with individuals in Sao Paulo."
The police are continuing their investigation into Saide's drug trafficking charges. If convicted, she could face up to 25 years in prison.
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