Tattoo Artist Arrested for Selling Banned Weight-Loss Injections

The operation began after an anonymous tip informed authorities that the suspect was using an Instagram profile to advertise the sale of medications. According to the investigating officer, Derick Moura Jorge, the suspect offered products from the class of agonists GLP-1, which are popularly known as 'weight-loss pens.' These medications reduce blood sugar levels and, consequently, promote weight loss.

The suspect allegedly displayed price tables, images of large quantities of medication, and phrases citing the supposed efficacy of the products. He also provided a phone number for interested parties to place orders via WhatsApp, announcing home deliveries. The posts included messages such as 'stock replenishment' and images of cash amounts, characterizing an organized and habitual commercial activity.

The Civil Police arrested the tattoo artist on Tuesday, the 7th. He was released the following day after a custody hearing to respond to the charges in freedom. The police revealed that he is 36 years old and lives in the San Martin region, though his name was not officially disclosed in the report.

The arrest occurred during the execution of a search and seizure warrant at the man's home. Officers discovered syringes and a bottle of medication prohibited by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The suspect confessed to the illegal commerce, explaining that he sourced the medications from Paraguay.

He stated that he had already sold his entire stock, leaving only the bottle seized by the police. He was charged with the crime of selling, exposing for sale, keeping in stock for sale, distributing, and delivering for consumption products of unknown origin without the required registration.

The penalty provided by law ranges from 10 to 15 years in prison, in addition to a fine. The police highlighted that the irregular sale of medications without sanitary registration poses a serious risk to the population, as it undermines the surveillance system established to protect consumers against inadequate, ineffective, or dangerous products.

Some of the weight-loss injections sold by the suspect were prohibited in Brazil by Anvisa in November 2025. The resolution banned the importation, manufacturing, sale, advertising, and use of labels such as T.G.5 and Lipoless, among others.

The measure was motivated by an increase in evidence of irregular advertising and commercialization of so-called 'weight-loss pens' on the internet. This constitutes conduct expressly prohibited for medicines in Brazil. Anvisa warns that medications without registration in the country complicate traceability in the event of adverse health events and may pose serious risks to users.

The agency emphasizes that the lack of regulation makes it difficult to track side effects. The Civil Police reiterated the importance of reporting such activities to protect public health and ensure that only registered and safe products are available to consumers.