AN influencer has gone on the run after being accused of running a drug trafficking ring.
Melissa Said, who has 341,000 followers on Instagram, is accused of heading a criminal gang involved in cannabis distribution and money laundering.
The 23-year-old was targeted by the police as the main suspect.
During raids at five properties linked to the influencer and her alleged gang, cops arrested three suspected accomplices.
But Melissa was nowhere to be seen.
Officers seized electronic devices, cash, and found evidence of multiple suspicious financial transactions as part of their ongoing Operation Erva Afetiva.
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The suspects reportedly stored, sold, and distributed cannabis throughout the state of Bahia, north east of Brasilia, Brazil.
They allegedly used suppliers in Bahia and São Paulo state.
Ernandes Jr., director for the State Department for Prevention and Suppression of Drug Trafficking (DENARC), said: “The objective of this operation is to combat drug trafficking, with the main target being a digital influencer who promotes crime.
“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.”
Temporary arrest and search and seizure warrants were issued for multiple properties in the Bahia cities of Salvador and Lauro de Freitas, and the São Paulo municipalities of São Paulo and Araçatuba.
Melissa, from Brazil and known for her activism for the legalisation of cannabis, has reportedly gone on the run.
She was married to content creator Tássio Bacelar until his death in a motorbike accident in October 2023 when he was 40-years-old.
At the time, Melissa posted on social media: “Forever in my heart, my love. I love you more than anything.”
She began producing content in 2022 when Tássio was already established as an influencer.
She also allegedly advised her followers on how to evade police action during travel and commutes.
If tracked down, the influencer could face up to 25 years in prison.
The investigation is ongoing.
It comes as Britain has seen seen a flurry of drug-smuggling cases this summer, such as Bella Culley, 18, who was duped into taking drugs to Georgia from Thailand, and budding travel influencer Charlotte May Lee, 21, who carried drugs from Thailand to Sri Lanka.
And previously glamorous pals Sophie Bannister and Levi-April Whalley, both from Blackburn, were found with cannabis packed in their bags as they flew back to the UK from New York in 2022.
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Sophie and Levi claim they were approached online by a girl in Marbella – and offered an all-espenses paid trip in return for bringing two suitcases back.
Now, in a bid to protect youngsters who haven’t travelled before or might be going on their first holiday, Border Force has launched Operation Karetu to help stop Brits being snared by drug traffickers.
