A Brazilian beauty influencer who once boasted online about having the courage to set her enemies on fire has been arrested over allegations that she took control of her husband’s cocaine trafficking operation linked to Italy’s notorious ’Ndrangheta mafia.
Paula Simoes Assisi, 34, known by the codename “Chanel”, is accused of overseeing major cocaine shipments destined for Europe after her husband and father-in-law were jailed.
Investigators believe she helped manage a staggering 2.2 tonnes of cocaine while negotiating large-scale drug deals with underworld associates. Despite the alleged criminal operation, the social media personality continued showcasing her glamorous lifestyle to tens of thousands of Instagram followers.
In one Instagram post, Paula wrote: “If people knew I had the courage to set them on fire, they wouldn’t take so many chances.”
There is no evidence that the message was connected to the alleged drug operation or directed at any particular person.
Paula was arrested during a major Brazilian-Italian police operation on September 17, with further details of the investigation emerging on October 11.
The alleged criminal network dates back to 2019, when her husband, Patrick Assisi, and his father, Nicola Assisi, were arrested in the Brazilian coastal city of Praia Grande. Both men were identified by investigators as members of the ’Ndrangheta, one of Italy’s most powerful mafia organisations.
Despite their arrests, detectives believe the drug trafficking operation continued, with Paula allegedly stepping in to manage the Brazilian side of the business while her husband remained behind bars.
Investigators claim Patrick continued directing operations from prison by sending handwritten instructions to his wife. Photographs of the messages reportedly showed him ordering Paula to pursue outstanding debts owed to the criminal network.
Using the codename “Chanel”, she allegedly relied on the encrypted messaging platform SkyECC to negotiate with criminal associates.
In one intercepted exchange, she was allegedly involved in discussions over a 400kg cocaine shipment bound for Europe. Investigators also uncovered conversations concerning suppliers, secret payments and the logistics of the trafficking operation.
The cocaine was allegedly transported through Brazil’s Port of Paranagua, hidden inside shipping containers belonging to legitimate companies that were reportedly unaware their cargo was being used to smuggle drugs.
Detectives believe Paula had her imprisoned husband’s approval to represent the mafia’s interests in Brazil and recover money owed to the organisation.
She was not the only person arrested in the investigation. Lawyer Patrick Raasch Cardoso, who has practised for 25 years, was also detained over allegations that he used his access to jailed criminals to relay secret instructions between mafia figures and help coordinate international cocaine shipments.
Investigators suspect Cardoso acted as a link between the Italian mafia and Brazilian criminal groups. Photographs allegedly recovered from his phone showed drugs and large amounts of cash.
Another suspected accomplice, Franklin Rodrigues de Oliveira, known as “BXX”, was arrested after allegedly attempting to flee police. He is suspected of helping transport cocaine and manage payments while acting as an intermediary between Italian mobsters and Brazilian gangs.
The international investigation began in 2020 after detectives found indications that the cocaine trafficking network had continued operating despite the arrests of its alleged leaders.
Working with Italian authorities and supported by Interpol, Brazilian federal police have linked the network to at least 11 cocaine seizures involving more than 4.6 tonnes of drugs.
The latest crackdown, centred on Santos in Sao Paulo state, resulted in seven preventive arrest warrants and five search warrants. Authorities also ordered the freezing of properties and financial assets suspected of being connected to the alleged criminal operation.
However, Paula’s lawyers have denied that she was involved in the cocaine trafficking network. They said no drugs were seized from her and accused investigators of relying on unproven assumptions. They also rejected claims that she took over her husband’s criminal operation after his arrest.
Cardoso’s defence team has similarly denied the allegations, maintaining that he acted within the bounds of his profession and seeking to have his preventive detention revoked.
Franklin’s lawyers declined to address the specific accusations but said they intended to prove his innocence in court.
Those implicated in the investigation could face charges including international drug trafficking, participation in a criminal organisation and money laundering.
The arrests are preventive measures, and none of the suspects has been convicted in connection with the allegations.
