The Paraguayan authorities arrested the American Jabari Stephen Brown, known for having won a private jet in a competition organized by the YouTuber MrBeast, within the framework of an investigation into a private plane in which more than 260 kilos of marijuana were seized.

Brown became the fourth detained after the operation carried out in a private hangar at the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, in Luque, near Asunción. According to the National Anti-Drug Secretariat of Paraguay (SENAD), cited by EFE, the aircraft came from Miami, had stopped in Panama and was transporting 261.6 kilos of marijuana with a high concentration of THC.

The case had international impact due to Brown's background, who had gained notoriety in aviation networks and media after winning a MrBeast contest in which 100 pilots participated and whose prize was an executive aircraft valued at millions of dollars. The Paraguayan authorities, however, are now investigating his alleged participation in the transfer of the drugs and the role of each of the plane's occupants.

What is known about the operation in Paraguay

The procedure was carried out by SENAD agents within the framework of the Colibrí Program, an inter-institutional coordination initiative that integrates the SENAD, the Paraguayan Air Force, the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, the National Directorate of Tax Revenue and the National Police, as reported by Paraguayan media based on official information.

The intervention occurred when several suitcases were unloaded from the jet and transferred to a land vehicle that was destined for a point in Asunción. In those pieces of luggage, agents found 261.6 kilos of premium marijuana, a variety that authorities described as having a high THC content and a high price in the illicit market.

According to estimates cited by Paraguayan media, each kilo of this drug could reach a value of up to $14,000 dollars in the Brazilian market, which would place the total value of the shipment close to $3.6 million dollars.

Who are the detainees

In the first instance, the authorities detained three American citizens identified as Marisol Rivas, 39 years old and originally from New York; Troy Anthony Vásquez, 42, from Florida; and David Thomas Wise, 58, of California. Jabari Stephen Brown was then arrested, who was identified as the fourth person involved in the investigation.

The detainees were transferred to the Public Ministry to give statements. The investigation is being led by prosecutor Ingrid Cubilla, according to local reports.

Paraguayan media also reported that authorities are investigating other people linked to the aircraft and the logistical scheme of the transfer. Among the names mentioned is the Estonian citizen Keith Siilats, whom SENAD identified as the alleged owner and pilot of the seized aircraft, according to the EFE dispatch published by Infobae.

The link with MrBeast

Brown's name caught attention because he had previously been featured as the winner of a challenge from MrBeast, one of the most popular content creators in the world. The competition, billed as “100 Pilots Fight For A Private Jet,” brought together pilots competing for a private plane.

According to reports cited by Paraguayan media and international agencies, Brown won that contest and obtained an executive aircraft valued at millions of dollars. This background explains the impact of the case, but does not imply any connection between MrBeast or its production with the drug investigation.

That is to say: Brown is known for having won a YouTuber contest, but the case opened in Paraguay refers to the private plane intercepted by the SENAD and the drugs found in the operation.

A cause still under investigation

So far, there is no court ruling or definitive public determination of the degree of responsibility of Brown or the other detainees. The Paraguayan authorities are seeking to establish who participated in the transfer, what the final destination of the cargo was and what logistics structure was behind the operation.

The seizure reinforces the concern of Paraguayan authorities about the use of private aircraft in regional drug trafficking operations. In this case, the origin of the flight in Miami, the previous stopover in Panama, the arrival at Paraguay's main international airport and the volume of the drugs seized turned the operation into a high-impact case.

The SENAD reported that the proceedings continue to clarify the complete operation, identify all those involved and determine the intended destination of the cargo.