66-year-old BJJ legend Relson Gracie arrested, charged with drug trafficking
Relson Gracie arrested
Relson Gracie, a 9th degree red belt in jiu-jitsu, was arrested Friday night in Pirai, Rio de Janeiro, by the Federal Highway Police. The 66-year-old submission specialist and second-oldest son of Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Helio Gracie, was charged with drug trafficking after dogs found drugs in his bags on a bus trip between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Law enforcement officials conducted a search and found several forms of cannabis in his bag. The search also turned up a plane ticket from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo. Police believe that Gracie brought the drugs with him from the United States.
Below is the police report from the area: (translated from Portuguese)
An elderly man was spotted by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) carrying skunk and marijuana derivatives. The narcotic was in his suitcase, traveling on an interstate bus. The case happened on the Presidente Dutra Highway (BR-116), in Piraí, in the south of Rio de Janeiro, on Friday night (24).
Teams from the PRF’s Dog Operations Group (GOC / RJ) approached the bus, which ran the São Paulo x Rio de Janeiro line. During the inspection, the dogs K9 Bud and K9 Stella, specialists in the drug scent, showed that there was something wrong with two bags.After identifying the owner of the suitcases, the police opened and found several bottles containing skunk, a more potent marijuana, and derivatives of the drug in various formats – cream, oil and grass. In addition, a international airline ticket was found with the 66-year-old passenger, indicating the possibility of the material being of foreign origin.
Relson earned his black belt when he was 23 years old and went 22 years undefeated as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion.
On April 6, 2013, Relson was promoted to rank of grandmaster (red belt) the highest possible belt awarded to living individuals in Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
If convicted Gracie could spend five to 15 years in jail.
