An American man, identified by Brazilian police as the father of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, was arrested Thursday (April 9) on suspicion of operating a clandestine drug laboratory inside a luxury condominium in the Vieiralves neighborhood of Manaus, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The arrest followed months of investigation by the Civil Police of Amazonas, which had been monitoring the suspect’s activities in the city.
According to Cícero Túlio, a deputy from the 1st Integrated Police District (DIP), the suspect was identified as Josué Gomes de Silva. During the arrest, the man allegedly threatened officers, stating he was the father of an American FBI agent—a claim the police say they later confirmed through his relatives.
“During the police operation, he tried to intimidate the officers by revealing that he is the father of an American FBI agent, a fact that was corroborated by his family members who came to our police station,[…]We will now inform the American Embassy so that the appropriate measures can be taken, including notifying the American police.”
– Deputy Cícero Túlio
Police say Josué frequently traveled between Brazil and the United States, which raised suspicions. The investigation began about six months ago. During this time, officers monitored his routine and conducted surveillance at the condominium where he lived.
In the final stage of the operation, agents caught the American handing drugs to a user, who was also arrested. The exchange was filmed by police. Minutes later, the buyer was stopped and found in possession of drug packets. The officers then went to the suspect’s apartment, where they discovered the clandestine drug lab.
Inside, they seized portions of cocaine, as well as equipment used in the preparation and distribution of the drugs, including a precision scale, a mechanical press, and a vacuum-sealing machine. Plastic rolls used to package the narcotics were also found. Some of the drugs were already pressed into capsule form, a method often used by so-called “mules” to smuggle drugs undetected.
According to police, the capsules were wrapped in a special type of film designed to evade detection by airport X-ray machines.
During the arrest, Josué reportedly threatened the officers again, insisting he would be released and warning he would take action against the police team. He was charged with drug trafficking and is expected to appear at a custody hearing, where he will remain at the disposal of the courts. The investigation continues to identify other possible participants in the criminal scheme.
Source: Globo
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