A weekend football match in Guaruja, Brazil, took a shocking turn when referee Ederson Carlos da Silva was arrested during play, handcuffed and led away by armed officers. The 38-year-old official, who had just issued a yellow card moments before, was escorted off the pitch by police wearing bulletproof vests, leaving players and spectators stunned.
Authorities later confirmed that da Silva is under investigation for allegedly handling logistics in a major drug-trafficking syndicate responsible for distributing cocaine across São Paulo. The referee’s sudden removal occurred at the Avenida Artur Paixao stadium in the Vila Ligya neighborhood during an amateur fixture.
Reports revealed the criminal network came under surveillance last November when 450 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Da Silva is accused of organizing the storage of drugs using rented homes and coordinating their delivery on behalf of the syndicate.
The public arrest was part of a wider crackdown dubbed “Operation Santo Amaro,” aimed at dismantling the distribution network. Investigators stated da Silva’s active social media presence provided helpful evidence in building their case. His work in football had not been previously known to the police.
According to Narcotics Police chief Eduardo Camargo Lima, da Silva was operating under the radar, reportedly employed as a foreman in a separate company while secretly supporting the drug organization. Authorities had been seeking him for some time but were unaware of his role as a part-time referee until his appearance in Guaruja.
Sao Paulo Civil Police in Guaruja confirmed that da Silva had been tracked for weeks and described him as a well-known figure with a vibrant social life. The arrest was coordinated after local intelligence spotted his name on the match schedule.
Investigators also disclosed that six additional suspects remain at large, with efforts ongoing to capture the remaining members of the trafficking ring. Police believe da Silva played a key role by managing storage logistics, helping keep the operation running under a hidden identity.
The surreal arrest of an on-field referee, more used to giving orders than receiving them, has sent shockwaves through the football community. His dual life—maintaining a public face while allegedly aiding a narcotics network—has become a cautionary tale in Brazilian amateur football circles.