A BRAZILIAN beauty queen has been accused of funding her lavish lifestyle using drug-trafficking money just weeks after boasting to social media that this year would be her “year of karma”.
Influencer Sara Monteiro, 36, was busted in Sao Paulo as part of a major drug crackdown dubbed “Operation Luxury”.
Sara Monteiro, 36, has bee arrested over money laundering allegations in relation to a drug trafficking syndicate Credit: Newsflash
Investigators say the beauty queen’s husband headed up the criminal organisation targeted by the police sting Credit: Newsflash
Just weeks before her arrest she had posted to social media that 2026 was her year of “good karma” Credit: Newsflash
Just weeks before her arrest, the busty beauty queen had bragged to her more than 107,000 followers that “this year is a year of good karma!”.
Known for posting herself on lavish vacations, at yacht parties and even at Tomorrowland music festival, she was nabbed by on Wednesday.
Top cop Rafael Herrera described her lifestyle as “economically incompatible” with reality, according to Globo.
Investigators believe the 2025 Miss Uberlandia winner had been taking cuts of allegedly made by a Brazilian marijuana trafficking syndicate led by her husband.
She had recently moved to Sao Paulo after moving from a luxury apartment in the southern part of Uberlândia, where search and seizure warrants were also executed.
Police say she is one of the ‘s main suspects.
Monteiro caught police attention when she was allegedly spotted walking her dog near a rural house that was being used as a base for the illicit substance.
She will face allegations of money laundering, drug trafficking and involvement in an organised group.
The charges come just weeks after she posted about what the coming year had in store for her.
Ironically, she wrote to her thousands of followers “Good luck to everyone who tried to destroy me for nothing, I’m looking forward to the harvest!”.
Police say they seized 5.9 tonnes of marijuana as part of the wider sting.
They are still searching for the influencer’s husband.
He has been accused of moving more than $2.1 million in unexplained transactions while also living a ritzy lifestyle.
Cops have so far arrested 24 people in relation to the covert operation and taken in 20 as evidence, including Porsches and BMWs.
Investigators say Monteiro worked at the financial core of the organised crime group, g1 reported.
Although police say she was “not responsible” for organising criminal activities, she was allegedly involved in the laundering process, allegedly hiding the origin of the cash through high expense purchases and frequent trips.
Monteiro is known for sharing content of her holidays, fitness routines, procedures, and other content related to the beauty industry Credit: Newsflash
She was among 24 people arrested as part of the police operation Credit: Newsflash
During the probe, her cell phones and laptop were seized.
She is known for sharing content of her , fitness routines, procedures, and other content related to the beauty industry.
The beauty queen also owned a store related to aesthetics and had previously worked in women’s clothing.
Herrera said the organisation allegedly used shell companies to launder the drug money, attracting police attention through Monteiro’s ostentatious lifestyle.
Investigators have alleged the beauty queen’s husband moved more than £1.6 million (R$11 million) in transactions without proof of legitimate activity.
Operation Luxury was undertaken simultaneously in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso do Sul,
The operation executed 27 arrest warrants and 42 search and seizure warrants, mobilizing approximately 160 agents and froze up to £9 million (R$61 million) in assets.
Police have alleged the criminal syndicate had been operating for at least a year and a half.
Her husband remains at large Credit: Newsflash
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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