Santa Catarina judge under protection as lawyer fugitive linked to drug cartel remains at large

The Tribunal de Justiça of Santa Catarina opened an investigation after a prison inmate allegedly disclosed a plot to attack Judge Cinthia Bittencourt Schaefer, the rapporteur of Operation Mensageiro that has led to the arrest of 17 mayors and numerous officials. Security measures for the judge have been heightened while the judiciary's intelligence unit reviews the claim.

Separately, a 29‑year‑old lawyer from Florianópolis, Gabriela Serafin, has been declared a fugitive. Prosecutors allege she led a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking in the Tapera district and was indicted on charges of drug trafficking, association for trafficking and corruption of minors. She has been missing since an arrest warrant was issued in April during Operation Quebra de Comando. Both cases are being handled under strict secrecy by the Santa Catarina Public Ministry.