Drug Lord Used Plastic Surgery to Avoid Authorities

Luiz Carlos da Rocha, a South American drug lord was recently captured after three decades on the run. He had used plastic surgery to change his appearance, and had also built a personal fortune of $100M, before finally being captured in Brazil. The drug lord, who had gained the nickname “White Head”, was arrested in the city of Sorriso located in the western state of Mato Grosso.

There were 150 law enforcement agents who carried out 24 raids on da Rocha. They were able to seize planes, farms and luxury cars worth $10M. The raid on the drug lord was called “Operation Spectrum” because “Spectrum” refers to the phantom-like nature of a fugitive who, according to police, “lived discretely and in the shadows…evading police attempts for almost 30 years.”

The police say that da Rocha had changed his name to Vitor Luis de Moraes. They concluded da Rocha was the same person as de Moraes after comparing photos of the facial characteristics of old photos of da Rocha with a newer image of de Moraes.

Da Rocha is facing more than 50 years in prison and his right-hand man was also arrested at the same time.

(This story originally appeared on skynews.com)