Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red belt Relson Gracie was arrested at dawn on Saturday (25) when transporting skunk and marijuana derivatives on the Presidente Dutra Highway, which connects Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Gracie was on an interstate bus. The information was released by the newspaper O Dia. The former jiu-jitsu fighter and martial art teacher was indicted for drug trafficking. The penalty varies from 5 to 15 years in prison.

According to the publication, the arrest took place at Piraí, in the south of Rio de Janeiro. The narcotics were in a suitcase and were found by the dogs K9 Bud and K9 Stella. The important name of Jiu-Jitsu was arrested by agents of the Federal Highway Police (PRF), during the inspection.

Police found vials of skunk, stronger marijuana, and derivatives of the drug in various formats, according to the newspaper. Relson is 66 years old, a Jiu-Jitsu red belt and a former fighter. He also became known for popularizing Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii.

At the time of the action, the police identified the owner of the suitcases, opened and found several bottles containing skunk, a more potent marijuana, and derivatives of the drug in various formats – cream, oil and grass. With it, an international airline ticket was found Los Angeles x São Paulo indicating the possibility of the material being of foreign origin.

Relson Gracie was released from jail after the judge accepted his defense that the cannabis was for medicinal use.

MMA Fighting obtained a statement released by Relson Gracie’s lawyer Joao Francisco Neto on his release:

“The athlete and professor Relson Gracie was a victim of a big misunderstanding,” the statement read. “He lives in the U.S. and brought cannabidiol-based medication for therapeutic purposes, all industrialized and obtained with a prescription in that country. His arrest during a routine inspection by police officers was promptly revoked by the Judiciary. Such medication can already be imported with a mere prescription, according to a recent ANVISA resolution, which deflates any possibility of a crime being committed.”