Brazilian lobbyist 'Careca do INSS' punished for cannabis lip balm found in Papuda prison cell

Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, known as “Careca do INSS,” a lobbyist accused of leading a multibillion‑real scheme to divert INSS payroll payments, was found with a cannabis‑based lip balm in his cell at the Papuda prison complex (Penitenciária IV) during a routine search on 2 June. He claimed he had used the product since October of the previous year and argued it was not a prohibited drug. The Federal District prison administration (Seape‑DF) classified the possession as a medium‑severity disciplinary infraction, placed him in eight days of preventive isolation, and forwarded the case to Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça, the relator of the ongoing investigation into the INSS fraud. While the substance itself is not a narcotic, its unauthorized entry breaches internal prison regulations. Antunes is also linked to the cannabis‑medicine company World Cannabis and to alleged payments to President Lula’s son, adding further scrutiny to the corruption probe.