In a significant blow to regional drug trafficking, police from the Delegacia de Investigações sobre Entorpecentes (Dise) in São Bernardo do Campo executed a search and seizure warrant at a property in Mogi das Cruzes, part of the Greater São Paulo metropolitan area, this Thursday. The operation led to the discovery of a large-scale marijuana cultivation setup and the arrest of two women caught in the act.
The targeted property, located on Rua Palestina in the Vila São Paulo neighborhood, presented the outward appearance of a typical residence. However, upon entry, officers uncovered a fully operational warehouse-style facility dedicated to growing cannabis in a controlled greenhouse environment. Approximately 200 marijuana plants were seized from the location.
According to Police Officer Paulo Ribeiro, who participated in the operation, the drugs produced were of a high-quality variety known as "flor." This type of marijuana is particularly valued on the illegal market because it is not pressed and contains no added chemical adulterants. The investigation further revealed that the suspects were also processing the cannabis to manufacture another high-value narcotic substance known as ICE.
The financial scale of the operation was substantial. Officer Ribeiro stated that a kilogram of the "flor" marijuana commands a price of around R$40,000 on the illicit market. He estimated the initial investment required to establish such a sophisticated greenhouse facility to be between R$1 million and R$1.2 million, underscoring the professional nature of the criminal enterprise.
The investigation had previously identified four members of the criminal gang. One male suspect, believed to be responsible for retail distribution, was arrested earlier in São Bernardo do Campo. This individual cooperated with authorities and provided the crucial information that led investigators to the production warehouse in Mogi das Cruzes.
During the raid on the warehouse, police also confiscated approximately 15 kilograms of marijuana that had already been processed and packaged, ready for distribution. The two women arrested at the scene reportedly confessed to their involvement in the scheme. They told investigators they were each receiving a monthly payment of R$20,000 for their roles in the operation. Both were subsequently taken to the Central de Polícia Judiciária (CPJ) in Mogi das Cruzes for further processing.
Based on reporting from g1.