20/10/2026
“What on Earth Brought You to Barnstaple?” Judge’s Astonishment as Brazilian Influencer Jailed for Drug Dealing
A Brazilian influencer who claimed North Devon’s scenic views drew him to the area has been jailed for two years and eight months after being caught with co***ne ready for delivery on Barnstaple’s streets.
The case left an Exeter Crown Court judge questioning how a man who had travelled from Brazil ended up dealing Class A drugs in North Devon.
“You've arrived at Heathrow and of all the gin joints go to Barnstaple from London. It takes a bit of doing,” the judge remarked, describing the defendant’s explanation as difficult to understand.
Caught with co***ne ready for delivery
Bruno Leite, 24, was stopped by police on patrol in New Road, Barnstaple, while sitting in a Vauxhall Astra registered in Woking.
Officers found him with £1,000 in cash and 21 bags of co***ne, reportedly valued at £840, which were ready to be delivered.
Messages recovered from his phone showed that handlers were tracking his movements and directing him to carry out drug deals around the town.
The court heard that Leite had allegedly been operating under the cover of Deliveroo gig work while in the UK on a temporary visitor visa.
Judge questions the explanation
The defence portrayed Leite as an innocent tourist who had somehow become involved in drug dealing after being drawn to the area’s scenery.
However, Judge James Patrick questioned the account, asking: “When he's sitting at home in Brazil what's going through his mind? 'I fancy a change and I'm going to do Deliveroo in Barnstaple?'”
The judge added that he struggled to understand what had brought Leite from Brazil to Barnstaple and led him into drug dealing.
When the court heard that Leite wanted to keep his mobile phone because he had a social media following back home, the judge was unimpressed.
“I'm told you are an influencer in Brazil, whatever that means,” he said.
The phone was ordered to be permanently confiscated, along with the cash seized during the investigation. The judge noted that the device had been used to coordinate the drug deliveries.
Prison sentence and possible deportation
Leite was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Judge Patrick said that, given Leite’s lack of genuine ties to the UK, he saw little prospect of rehabilitation in the country. He also expressed the hope that Leite’s permission to remain in the UK would be revoked and that he would be deported during his sentence.
What do you think?
The case has raised questions about how organised drug networks operate in towns such as Barnstaple, and how people can become involved in criminal activity while visiting the UK.
💬 Do you think the sentence fits the crime, and what more could be done to tackle drug dealing in North Devon? Share your thoughts in the comments.
