Three members of a drug trafficking group were arrested red-handed on Thursday morning (7) during an operation by the Garopaba Civil Police in the south of Santa Catarina.

Three people were arrested red-handed – Photo: PCSC/Disclosure/ND

Drug trafficking operation

The suspects were arrested for drug possession and a fourth participant was located with an active arrest warrant. The couple from Paulo Lopez, the leader of the organization, have already been arrested as part of another operation in the same investigation.

Police also seized cell phones used by the group, which will be analyzed by the team, as well as imitation firearms. An investigation is ongoing at the Garopaba Police Station to establish all those involved and the circumstances surrounding the criminal activity.

The action was supported by the police stations of Laguna, Paulo Lopez, San José and Florianópolis, as well as the military police of Imbituba and Saer (air police service). Searches took place at 11 addresses in the mentioned cities.

According to the PC, the operation began in 2022, when the Garopaba Police Department identified a group involved in structured drug trafficking, mainly cocaine and marijuana. He also investigates other crimes such as illegal possession and carrying of firearms.