On Tuesday night, the Civil Police of Maranhão arrested a woman in Açailândia who had been sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment for her involvement in drug trafficking and association for drug trafficking. Her arrest was executed following a definitive warrant. This woman, along with her partner, was initially arrested in 2019 during a police operation aimed at combatting the drug trade in Itinga do Maranhão. Although convicted, she had previously been released from custody through a habeas corpus granted by the Maranhão Court of Justice, leading to a lengthy period where she was able to avoid serving her sentence.

Investigations revealed that the couple was deeply involved in drug trafficking activities in the São Sebastião neighborhood, employing minors as drug couriers, further complicating their legal battles due to the involvement of children in illicit activities. The initial sentencing included aggravating factors specifically because children and adolescents were used in the operation. After appealing the decision, both individuals managed to respond to their cases while out of custody until the sentence was finalized, which allowed for an arrest warrant to be issued once the legal proceedings were complete.

The implications of this arrest are significant for local law enforcement and drug policy in Maranhão, as it highlights ongoing challenges in addressing drug trafficking and the use of minors in illegal operations. This case underscores the continued efforts by authorities to not only apprehend offenders but also to dismantle networks that exploit vulnerable populations, raising important questions about the effectiveness of judicial measures such as habeas corpus in high-risk cases of drug trafficking.