British man accused of international drug trafficking scheme is arrested in the United Arab Emirates
Quick Look
- Yasin Ahmed Ayyub Haji, one of the Britons identified as responsible for a scheme that attempted to send 613 kg of cocaine from Europe from a shell company in Blumenau, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates by Interpol.
- The second suspect, Delroy Alvin Bailey, remains at large.
- The Santa Catarina Federal Police has 30 days to formalize the extradition request.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Federal Police of Santa Catarina carried out an operation in December 2025 that resulted in the seizure of 613 kg of cocaine hidden in an underground bunker in Blumenau. The drug was linked to a shell company exporting metal alloys. Investigations pointed to the involvement of British citizens with a history of drug trafficking in England.
One of the Britons identified as responsible for a scheme that attempted to take drugs to Europe from a shell company in Blumenau, in Vale do Itajaí, in Santa Catarina, was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Yasin Ahmed Ayyub Haji was on the International Police red list and was captured in the United Arab Emirates. The second Briton, Delroy Alvin Bailey, remains at large and is also wanted by Interpol.
The Federal Police (PF) of Santa Catarina, which requested the arrest of the person being investigated, has a period of 30 days to formalize the request for the suspect's extradition to Brazil. The corporation confirmed this Tuesday (8) that the man had been arrested.
Bunker with 613 kg of cocaine is found in a shell company in SC — Photo: Federal Police/Disclosure
Cocaine was found during operation in December 2025
The bunker with 613 kilos of cocaine was found in December 2025 in Blumenau during an operation to combat an international criminal structure based in Santa Catarina.
The Federal Police, responsible for the action, detailed which group is being investigated for trafficking drugs to Europe. At the time, a resident of Florianópolis, linked to the criminal group, was arrested in the action.
📦 What is a bunker: they are structures or shelters, usually underground, built for protection or survival in adverse conditions.
Drugs were hidden in the basement of a warehouse
According to the PF, the property where the drugs were located belongs to a metal alloy export company that would be used as a front for the delivery of cocaine abroad.
The drug found was in the basement of the warehouse and heavy machinery had to be used to unblock the entrance. The substance was packaged in different packages.
During investigations, agents discovered that the warehouse was used to prepare and store the drug before international transport.
Following the information collected during the seizure, the police requested the arrest of one of the suspects and authorization to search an address linked to it in the Lagoa da Conceição neighborhood, in Florianópolis. Several vehicles, boats, jewelry and documents were seized at the scene.
The investigation confirmed the connection between British citizens, who already had a history of drug trafficking in England, with the scheme in Santa Catarina.
"The investigations also point to the existence of an international criminal structure, with an operational base in Santa Catarina, which combined business elements, logistical support from Brazilians and leadership from foreigners", informed the PF, in a note.
PF operation dismantles international drug trafficking scheme — Photo: PF/Disclosure
READ ALSO:
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Federal Police of Santa Catarina will formalize the request for extradition of Yasin Ahmed Ayyub Haji to Brazil within 30 days.
Very likely · Within days
Delroy Alvin Bailey will remain at large until he is located by international authorities.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the specific drug trafficking history of Yasin Ahmed Ayyub Haji and Delroy Alvin Bailey in England?
- What is the concrete evidence linking the shell company in Blumenau to the international trafficking scheme?
- What is the current status of the extradition request requested by the Federal Police of Santa Catarina?
- Are there other suspects linked to the scheme besides the two Brits and the Florianópolis resident already arrested?
