Khaberni - The Brazilian police arrested the digital influencer Melissa Said, aged 23, after she was accused of managing a drug trafficking network between the states of Bahia and Sao Paulo.
A large security operation led to Melissa’s arrest at her friend’s house in the "Itapuã" neighborhood in Salvador, after a full day on the run.
The influencer, who has more than 378,000 followers, had sparked controversy with her videos talking about the use of marijuana, before becoming the focus of extensive investigations under the name "Herb Lover."
During the operation, the authorities raided five residential units associated with the influencer and arrested four other individuals in two different areas, as well as seizing 1.4 kilograms of marijuana, electronic devices, and sums of money suspected to be linked to trafficking.
The police also executed ten search and seizure warrants in Salvador and Sao Paulo, in a move described as one of the largest online drug trafficking pursuits in the country, according to Metro newspaper.
Investigations indicate that Melissa did not only share recreational content about marijuana, but also used her platforms to provide tips on how to smuggle it and evade security monitoring, in addition to distributing specialized smoking tools on the streets as part of her promotional activities.
Despite the accusations, Melissa Said denied any connection with drug trafficking, asserting that she is only detained because of her content, which she considers "an expression of personal freedom."
The authorities are currently holding the influencer in the women’s penal complex in the Protas area of Salvador, as investigations continue in a case that could put her behind bars for up to 25 years according to Brazilian law.
