• Brazilian influencer Melissa Said, 23, was arrested after becoming a fugitive when police raided five of her properties as part of “Operation Erva Afetiva,” investigating an interstate marijuana distribution network.
• Said, who has over 340,000 Instagram followers and describes herself as “ervoafetiva” (weed affectionate), was found hiding at a friend’s residence in Bahia after weeks on the run.
• After her arrest, Said broke her silence saying “It’s a shame… no one in the world should be arrested for smoking marijuana” while denying leading a drug smuggling gang.

SALVADOR, Brazil (TDR) — A Brazilian influencer accused of running an interstate drug trafficking and money laundering network has broken her silence after being arrested, claiming it’s a “shame” anyone should face charges for marijuana use.

Melissa Said was named as a person of interest in a wide-ranging investigation into the distribution of marijuana across the South American country, and became a fugitive after police were unable to locate her during coordinated raids Wednesday.

The 23-year-old has since been tracked down and arrested on suspicion of interstate drug-running and money laundering. She is accused of heading a criminal gang in the north-eastern state of Bahia, as well as allegedly encouraging her 340,000 Instagram followers to take part in the transport and use of drugs.

Operation targets “weed affectionate” influencer

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The arrest came as part of Operation Erva Afetiva — named after a phrase Said used in her social media bio meaning “weed-loving” — which saw Brazilian Civil Police execute 10 search and seizure warrants across five properties in Salvador and five in São Paulo.

Authorities recovered 270 grams of hashish, small amounts of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, mobile phones, bank cards and two vehicles during the raids. Three other suspects were arrested during the operation, though Said had already absconded before officers arrived at her properties.

She was eventually located hiding at a friend’s house following an intensive intelligence operation. Said was previously married to fellow influencer Tassio Barcelar, who produced cannabis-related content before his death in 2023.

Influencer denies trafficking charges

Said has since broken her silence after the arrest, saying it was a “shame” that she’d been arrested for using cannabis. “It’s a shame… no one in the world should be arrested for smoking marijuana,” she said, according to The Sun.

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The influencer, who promotes smoking weed online, has denied all charges against her and claims she only smokes marijuana recreationally. She has denied leading a drug smuggling gang, though authorities paint a different picture.

“The objective of this operation is to combat drug trafficking, with the main target being a digital influencer who promotes crime,” Ernandes Junior, director of the State Department for Prevention and Suppression of Drug Trafficking, said of the operation. “It was discovered that in addition to promoting crime and drug use, she also sells and distributes narcotics in Bahia, with some people from São Paulo as one of her suppliers.”

Authorities allege coordinated network

According to investigators, Said acted as the main organizer of the scheme, encouraging followers to transport and consume drugs and advising them on how to avoid detection during travel. Police said she also used her online reach to promote and sell marijuana, sourcing supplies from Bahia and São Paulo.

The investigation, which began in 2024, found that Said distributed “kits” containing marijuana cigarettes during Christmas 2024 as part of a self-promotion campaign. She was previously caught with drugs at an airport, which triggered the initial probe.

The sale of cannabis is currently illegal under Brazilian law, however, it is not considered a crime to possess a small amount for personal use. Said is also accused of sharing advice online about how to evade detection when traveling with drugs in possession.

Faces up to 25 years in prison

If found guilty and convicted, Said could face up to 25 years behind bars, according to the New York Post. She serves as an ambassador for the brand Bem Bolado Brasil, which makes rolling papers and promotes cannabis-related activism.

In a statement, the company said it is “monitoring the situation carefully and taking all necessary measures responsibly and transparently,” adding that all collaborations are conducted “through formal contracts aligned with its educational and harm-reduction mission.”

The case has intensified scrutiny in Brazil over the growing intersection between influencer culture and organized crime. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that cartels are increasingly using influencers and public figures to enhance their image, intimidate rivals and conceal criminal revenue streams.

Her last social media posts before her arrest involved discussions around legalizing weed in Brazil. The case represents one of the most high-profile examples of an alleged drug trafficking leader emerging from the world of social media in the South American nation.

Should social media platforms bear legal responsibility for monitoring and removing content that promotes illegal drug use, or does that constitute censorship of free speech and advocacy for drug policy reform?

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