Brazil captures drug lord who used surgery to hide

By Associated Press 02 July 2017, 12:00AM

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian police say they have captured a major drug lord known as "White Head" who used plastic surgeries to help him evade authorities for nearly three decades.

Police say Luiz Carlos da Rocha was arrested Saturday in the state of Mato Grosso. He's been sentenced by Brazilian courts to more than 50 years in prison for international drug trafficking and money laundering.

Police say Rocha's cartel produced cocaine in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia and exported it to Europe and the United States via Brazil and Paraguay. In Brazil alone, police estimate Rocha brought in 5 tones of cocaine per month.

Police also seized about $10 million worth of the drug lord's assets, including planes, properties and luxury cars.

By Associated Press 02 July 2017, 12:00AM
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