Cultivation, seizure, and controversy: the behind-the-scenes of the operation at the Santa Gaia association
More than 500 plants were destroyed; patients and families report fear of losing treatment
In September 2025, the cannabis association Santa Gaia, located in the Garcia neighborhood of Lins (SP), was targeted by a health inspection due to a complaint of "marijuana smell" made by neighbors. Three weeks later, the association was the subject of an operation motivated by a court decision. Yesterday, Thursday (16), the Civil Police carried out a seizure at the association's headquarters.
According to the Public Security Secretariat (SSP), 466 marijuana plants and another 96 in the process of producing oil were confiscated. Cell phones and computers were also seized for analysis of the financial logistics.
Guilherme Viel, founder and president of Santa Gaia, was also caught in the act. On Friday (17), during a custody hearing, his arrest was upheld. Now, the association is working to file a Habeas Corpus requesting that he respond while free.
The delegate responsible for the operation, Artur Franco, explains that the investigation, requested by the Public Ministry, found that the association was operating without the proper documentation from the Health Surveillance and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to cultivate cannabis on national soil. "Along with the cultivation, a state-of-the-art laboratory for large-scale production was identified," the delegate adds.
In a statement, Santa Gaia reported that it has two ongoing legal processes that guarantee its activity. A Habeas Corpus for cannabis cultivation and a civil action in the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF1). The delegate confirmed knowledge of the action but emphasized that, "as long as they do not obtain the official decision authorizing the activity, they are irregular and remain illegal."
The drama of patients and the next steps
The interruption of the cannabis association's activities generates anguish among patients. João Victor Viel, vice-coordinator and Guilherme's brother, states that the moment is to "gather the cases" and find ways to assist the more than nine thousand members. "We are already in contact with other associations. We will focus on the most delicate cases, but we will not leave anyone unsupported," he explains.
Leny Emídio Barbosa, 46 years old, fears for the treatment of her daughter, Jayne Barbosa da Silva, 31 years old, who has suffered from severe epilepsy since childhood. After undergoing viral encephalitis at birth, Jayne experienced constant seizures. A year and a half ago, with the use of oil, the seizures and sequelae were alleviated. "It's a different life. Today she has quality sleep, can interact. I am very nervous; we cannot be without the oil," the mother laments.
Fortunately, Leny made a new order for oil on Monday (13). Thus, her daughter's treatment — which consumes about four bottles a month — is guaranteed for at least a month and a half. A resident of Alhandra, in the interior of Paraíba, Jayne is at the beginning of the process of tapering off Rivotril, which must now be postponed.
Eduardo Augusto da Silva, 47 years old, who suffers from chronic pain, is also concerned. He uses cannabidiol to reduce the use of morphine and other medications. "Cannabis greatly reduces my pain. I can sleep, relax, something that was not common before. Only those who feel pain know how it is." Fortunately, he had picked up a new bottle a day before the operation.
Accusations and the response from the cannabis association
The case was registered as counterfeiting of therapeutic products and drug trafficking. "At the site, we found cannabis oils without any batch identification and formal proof," explained the delegate. According to him, there was also a "kind of pharmacy" for delivering products to patients.
João Vitor contests this, explaining that the association works with labeling all products, containing type and concentration. "We had just completed the harvest and were in the bottling process. That’s why some bottles were still unlabeled. We first bottle and then label," he justifies. Regarding the "pharmacy," he clarifies that it is a clinic with a doctor, physiotherapist, social worker, and psychologist, where patients are welcomed and screened.
“It was a welcoming space. An employee did the screening, analyzed the prescriptions and other documents, in addition to registering the patients. We never made a delivery without a prescription.”
The future of the plants and the people
According to the delegate, the more than 500 cannabis plants seized at the association will be destroyed under judicial authorization. The disposal of the oil bottles, however, is still awaiting a decision from health authorities.
During the operation, a firearm was seized at Guilherme's house. The police claim that no documentation was presented, while João Vitor alleges that the weapon is registered and that the founder is a Collector, Shooter, and Hunter (CAC).
The delegate considers the maintenance of the preventive detention to be correct. According to him, the next step will be to hear witnesses and involved parties.