Two Iranians arrested in Santos with 180 kg of cocaine bound for Dubai have preventive detention upheld
Two Iranian citizens caught with 180 kg of cocaine in Santos have had their preventive detention upheld by Federal Justice. The Federal Public Ministry points to a transnational organisation with a route to the Middle East.
Iranians arrested in Santos warehouse are part of trafficking network bound for Dubai, says Federal Public Ministry
As reported by cnnbrasil.com.br, the Federal Public Ministry states that two Iranian citizens arrested in flagrante delicto in Santos are part of an international criminal organisation focused on trafficking cocaine to the Middle East, with Dubai as the main destination.
Saeid Sabouri, 52 years old, and Nima Kenareifard, 25, were detained on 12 May at the property where the shipment was stored. On Wednesday (3), Federal Justice upheld the preventive detention of both, after rejecting requests for freedom submitted by their defence teams. The case is being processed in the 5th Federal Criminal Court of Santos, still in the police inquiry phase.
The suspects were arrested with approximately 180 kg of the drug, distributed in 178 tablets hidden in bags of coffee stored in the warehouse, with a declared destination of Dubai.
Investigation of months and three-day surveillance
Civil police from Deinter-6 had been investigating for months an individual suspected of maintaining relations with members of a criminal organisation operating between Brazil and the Middle East. The police report describes that there was "well-founded suspicion that the individual under investigation was finalising the procedures for the shipment of approximately 150 kg of cocaine bound for Dubai".
After three days of surveillance in an unmarked vehicle, the agents identified atypical movement at the property. Upon entering the warehouse, they found bags of coffee, barrels and boxes with beauty products. The discrepancy in weight and texture between some bags led to all of them being opened, where 178 tablets of white powder substance were found, confirmed as cocaine in preliminary analysis.
Silence and nervousness of those detained
Sabouri, who was responsible for the warehouse, exercised the right to silence from the police approach onwards. Six mobile phones and electricity bills in his name were seized. Kenareifard initially presented himself as Sabouri's compatriot and interpreter, claiming to be at the location only to assist in the customs clearance of goods bound for Dubai. Subsequently, he also opted for silence.
The civil police officer responsible for the arrest reported that the two "displayed visible nervousness" when informed of suspicions of trafficking and "opted for silence".
Jurisdiction transferred to Federal Justice
The case arose in the Regional Court of Guarantees of the 7th Judicial Administrative Region of Santos, within the scope of State Justice. The judge of law declined jurisdiction to Federal Justice as it involved trafficking of an international character, citing a precedent from the Superior Court of Justice: "The jurisdiction of Federal Justice for the trial of a drug trafficking crime only takes effect with sufficient proof of its international character."
The case was redistributed to the 5th Federal Criminal Court of Santos.
Federal Public Ministry: "transnational" structure and quantity above retail level
At the custody hearing, the Federal Public Ministry expressed itself in favour of the regularity of the arrest in flagrante delicto and the maintenance of preventive detention. The judge approved the arrests and converted them into preventive detention on the basis of articles 312 and 313, paragraph I, of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
In the decision, the magistrate pointed out that "the substantial quantity of narcotics seized, combined with the modus operandi employed, evidenced by the meticulous packaging of the drug in tablets and its concealment within a lawful cargo destined for abroad, constitute indicative vectors of the magnitude and operational capacity of the criminal group".
On the risk of flight, the judge highlighted that "the condition of both detainees being foreigners, combined with the evident absence of ties with the district of guilt, raises to a concrete level the risk of evasion".
In a statement subscribed to by five public prosecutors, the Organised Crime Task Force of the Public Prosecutor's Office in São Paulo argued that "the structure necessary for the dispatch of narcotics on a large scale to other continents indicates that the detainees are inserted in a context of organised crime with transnational activity". The body added that the amount seized "removes the case from mere retail trafficking and places it at a level of organised crime of considerable magnitude".
The Federal Public Ministry also refuted the argument of the defence teams that geopolitical instability in Iran would reduce the risk of flight: "Both individuals under investigation are Iranian. The condition of being foreigners, combined with the evident absence of ties with the district of guilt, elevates the risk of evasion to abroad or seeking refuge in their countries of origin."
Defences propose electronic monitoring and point to ties with Brazil
The lawyers for the suspects presented three requests for revocation of preventive detention or the granting of provisional freedom with precautionary measures. Both defence teams proposed electronic monitoring by ankle bracelet and passport retention as alternatives to detention.
Kenareifard's defence argued that he has resided in Brazil for more than six years, engages in lawful activity as an interpreter and had no unlawful items seized from him. It also highlighted that "the investigation that preceded the arrest had as its focus the co-investigated Saeid Sabouri, responsible for the warehouse".
Sabouri's defence submitted documents proving fixed residence in Santos and regular migration status in the country, with extension of stay approved by the Federal Police itself until July 2026. The argument presented was that "anyone who intends to flee does not appear at the Federal Police to regularise their migration status". All requests were rejected by the federal court.
Source: Google News BR — Crime