TWO glammed-up influencers have been accused of running a gang of child thieves, allegedly ordering robberies to fund their own business.
Police allege the women enlisted a gaggle of sticky-fingered youngsters to pinch beauty products adn fat jabs from local pharmacies,in order to sell on to their own customers.
Police nabbed influencers Claudiana Rocha and laís Santiago in Salvador, a major coastal city in north-eastern Brazil on Wednesday.
Collectively the pair have more than 100,000 followers on social media, with santiago named as a lifestyle and dancing influencer, while Rocha - an aesthetician – presents herself online as a mentor for other beauty professionals.
The information in Rocha’s Instagram bio has since been deleted.
Bahia state police in Brazil conducted large-scale raids targeting an organized crime group allegedly involved in robberies of commercial businesses, including the theft of personal hygiene products, mobile phones, and documents. The operation involved hundreds of officers from multiple security forces.
Operation Details & Scope
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The examination unfolded in two phases, culminating in a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel. The second phase involved approximately 300 officers from the Civil Police, Military Police, and Technical Police, alongside intelligence officers from the bahia State Public Security Secretariat (SSP-BA).
According to a report by G1 Bahia on December 14, 2023, the operation aimed to dismantle a criminal organization responsible for a series of robberies across the state. G1 Bahia Report
Seized Items & Allegations
Police seized a number of mobile phones and documents during the raids, suggesting a potential network of dialog and planning related to the alleged criminal activities. The robberies specifically targeted personal hygiene products from commercial businesses, indicating a perhaps unusual focus for the group.
The Bahia State Public Security Secretariat (SSP-BA) has not released a detailed inventory of all seized items as of January 16, 2026. SSP-BA Official Website
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved
The operation demonstrates a coordinated effort between various Bahia state law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime. The Civil Police are responsible for investigations, the Military Police for public safety and patrolling, and the Technical Police for forensic analysis. The SSP-BA’s Intelligence System provides crucial support in gathering and analyzing information.
The Civil Police of bahia is the primary investigative body responsible for criminal investigations within the state.Bahia Civil police Website
Current Status of investigation (january 16, 2026)
As of January 16, 2026, the investigation remains ongoing. No further official updates have been released by the Bahia State Public Security Secretariat (SSP-BA) beyond the initial reports from December 2023. The status of any arrests or charges related to the raids is currently unknown. SSP-BA Official Website
