The bikini-clad Instagram influencer suspected of doubling because the queen of a drug trafficking ring known as her arrest a “disgrace” and denied having any affiliation with the alleged interstate smuggling community.
Melissa Mentioned decried her seize after authorities raided 5 of her properties throughout Brazil following a years-long investigation and accused her of transporting medicine between the states of Bahia and São Paulo.
“It’s a disgrace… nobody on the earth must be arrested for smoking marijuana,” Mentioned proclaimed, in accordance to The Solar.
Mentioned dismissed the accusations that she was a drug mule or the chief of the supposed trafficking ring, the outlet reported.
The 23-year-old budding influencer — with over 376,000 followers on Instagram — constructed up her following with glamorous pictures of herself smoking marijuana and advertising and marketing hemp-related merchandise.
Her bio states, “I speak about ganja,” and Ervoafetiva or “weed loving.”
Police launched the multi-property raid, named Operation Erva Afectiva, in reference to Mentioned’s Instagram account, on Wednesday.
Through the operation, officers uncovered proof of a number of suspicious monetary transactions, and seized a number of digital units, in keeping with The Solar.
Roughly three kilos of “skank” hashish and a half pound of cannabis— a concentrated type of hashish constructed from the resin of the marijuana plant — had been recovered throughout the operation.
Police additionally found small parts of marijuana, digital scales, plastic luggage, cellphones, financial institution playing cards, and two autos believed to have been utilized in prison exercise.
Mentioned was discovered hiding out at a good friend’s house within the Bahia capital of Salvador.
At the least 4 different suspects had been captured throughout the raids, with one being charged with drug trafficking related to the “skank.
Police launched its investigation into Mentioned in 2024 after she was allegedly caught with medicine inside an airport.
Mentioned is accused of advising followers the right way to evade regulation enforcement whereas transporting medicine and selling methods of handing off “kits” crammed with joints within the streets.
An investigation into her illicit dealings opened after she was allegedly caught with medicine inside an airport.
Officers consider she has been facilitating and inspiring the smuggling of unlawful substances in Bahia and São Paulo.
She was allegedly recognized as a purchaser who distributed the medicine to folks she had contact with on social media.
A particular police drug pressure questioned Mentioned on Thursday earlier than she went underneath for a forensic examination.
She faces as much as 25 years in jail if discovered responsible.
Mentioned protested for the legalization of marijuana in Brazil in considered one of her final Instagram posts earlier than her arrest.
It’s unlawful to promote marijuana within the South American nation.
Possession and cultivation for personal, private use had been decriminalized by the Brazilian Supreme Courtroom in 2006.
