An Instagram influencer was taken into custody for allegedly instructing a criminal gang to inflict harm on two individuals suspected of breaking into her residence. Izabela Paiva, aged 26, was apprehended yesterday as part of a police operation against organized crime. Authorities revealed that she was made aware of the break-in at her home in Porto Velho, located in the heart of the Amazon region in Brazil, while she was away from the property.
Instead of contacting law enforcement, Paiva purportedly tasked members of the feared Comando Vermelho gang with apprehending the burglars, punishing them, and recovering her stolen belongings. The Rondônia State Civil Police criticized her actions, stating that despite understanding the gravity of the situation, she chose not to involve the authorities. They accused her of seeking personal vengeance and defying the legal system.
Law enforcement suspects that Paiva has strong connections to Comando Vermelho and may even hold a significant position within the organization. The influencer, who boasts a lavish lifestyle on social media, showcasing jet skis, stacks of cash, and high-end vehicles to her 100,000-plus followers, is believed to have close ties with the notorious criminal group.
Comando Vermelho, notorious for engaging in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and various criminal activities across multiple states, is known for violent conflicts with rival gangs such as the Primeiro Comando da Capital. The operation leading to Paiva’s arrest was named “Arur Betach,” a Hebrew phrase meaning “cursed is the one who trusts,” which she reportedly shared on social media shortly after the burglary.
This incident follows an investigation initiated by authorities in Brazil after the tragic deaths of another influencer and her teenage daughter. Lidiane Aline Lorenco, 33, and her 15-year-old daughter, Miana Sophya Santos, were discovered deceased in their 11th-floor apartment following concerns raised by neighbors. Reports of a foul odor emanating from the apartment prompted firefighters to break in, where they found the mother and daughter deceased in separate rooms, having passed away some time before.