Brazilian Influencer Melissa Said Arrested in Major Drug Bust

Brazilian social media influencer Melissa Said, 23, was arrested following a large-scale police operation that uncovered her alleged involvement in a significant drug trafficking and money laundering network spanning Bahia and São Paulo. Melissa Said, known for her Instagram following of over 350,000, was taken into custody after hiding at a friend’s residence in Bahia. Authorities had conducted multiple raids on her properties as part of “Operation Erva Afetiva,” named after a phrase Melissa Said used in her social media bio, meaning “weed-loving.” Police investigations linked Melissa Said to the distribution of cannabis and related illegal activities, highlighting her alleged role as the leader of the network.

The investigation into Melissa Said began in 2024, when she was reportedly caught with drugs at an airport. According to law enforcement sources, Melissa Said encouraged her followers to evade police checks during drug transportation and promoted her personal brand by distributing “kits” containing cannabis joints. During the raids, police seized 1.4 kilograms of marijuana, 270 grams of hashish, small quantities of cannabis, digital scales, packaging materials, mobile phones, bank cards, and two vehicles connected to the operation. Melissa Said’s activities reportedly spanned from Bahia to São Paulo, with associates supplying drugs across the regions.

Authorities have highlighted that Melissa Said not only promoted drug use and crime online but also actively sold and distributed narcotics. Three other suspects were arrested during the operation, while the police continue to investigate the extent of Melissa Said’s network. The director of the State Department for Prevention and Suppression of Drug Trafficking, Ernandes Junior, said the main objective of the operation was to dismantle a digital influencer-led drug network, emphasizing the dangers of promoting crime and narcotics online. Melissa Said’s arrest marks a significant step in Brazil’s ongoing efforts to tackle drug trafficking and curb the influence of social media on illegal activities.

The arrest of Melissa Said has garnered widespread attention, both for her social media presence and her alleged criminal activities. Her followers, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, have expressed shock over the news, while authorities stress that Melissa Said’s online persona was closely tied to real-world illegal operations. The police operation serves as a warning about the intersection of digital influence and criminal activity, with Melissa Said’s case illustrating how social media can be exploited to facilitate and promote drug distribution networks.

Melissa Said now faces multiple charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and promoting illegal activities. The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and additional arrests linked to Melissa Said’s network may follow. This case has also sparked discussions in Brazil about the responsibilities of social media influencers and the potential legal consequences of using digital platforms to encourage illegal behavior. Melissa Said’s arrest underscores the broader challenges law enforcement faces in addressing online criminal networks while maintaining public safety