Brazilian Influencer, 23, Addresses Arrest for Alleged Drug Trafficking

Brazilian influencer Melissa Said has broken her silence regarding her arrest for alleged drug trafficking.

Local news outlet Correio reported that Said, 23, was taken into police custody on Thursday, October 23, in Salvador, Brazil. The outlet noted that Said had been reportedly hiding at a friend’s house since Wednesday, October 22, after discovering that the police were searching for her.

“On digital platforms, she advocated drug use and used her reach to sell marijuana, with suppliers identified in Bahia and São Paulo,” authorities said, per the outlet. “Investigations also indicate that she purchased the drug and passed it on to some followers through social media contacts.”

A video shared by The Sun on Saturday, October 25, showed Said in handcuffs as she was led out of a building by authorities.

“It’s a shame … no one in the world should be arrested for smoking marijuana,” she told reporters, per The Sun.

The outlet reported that Said admitted to using marijuana but denied a connection to the drug ring. The Sun noted that Said’s arrest was part of a larger operation, which included several other arrests.

Ernandes Junior, director for the State Department for Prevention and Suppression of Drug Trafficking (DENARC) said in a statement obtained by The Sun, “the objective of this operation is to combat drug trafficking, with the main target being a digital influencer who promotes crime.”

He continued, “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.”

The New York Post reported that police began investigating Said and a potential involvement in drug trafficking after she was reportedly detained in an airport for alleged possession of drugs in 2024.

That same year, Brazil decriminalized personal possessions of small amounts of cannabis. While medicinal cannabis is legal for certain patients, according to the Associated Press, selling cannabis for recreational use is still a crime.

In the last Instagram post before her arrest, Said — who has amassed more than 378,000 followers on the social media platform — shared a video about cannabis.

“@melissasaid sent the conversation really well. Many of our hermanos are already referring to the legalization of greenery, showing that change is possible, and it can benefit many sectors,” Bem Bolado Brasil Oficial wrote in a joint post with Said, which was translated to English. (The organization explains their “role on their website as developing “solutions for smoking and relaxation rituals, offering a diverse range of products for different needs.”)

The caption concluded, “When our mind opens, possibilities multiply, conversation evolves, and that’s how we turn challenges into reality. 💜.”

Several users have since taken to the comments section to react to Said’s arrest.

“Go sing freedom love calm 😍 💚 🍁,” one user wrote, while another added, “Rooting for you to be released soon!” A third wrote, “Cheering for your freedom 🥺,” while a fourth noted, “Melissa, i am so sorry! Rooting for you to come out soon! ❤️.”