Relson Gracie charged with drug trafficking in Brazil

Relson Gracie, the second-oldest son of Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Helio Gracie, has been charged with drug trafficking in Brazil.

The 66-year-old jiu-jitsu pioneer was arrested on Friday in Pirai, Rio de Janeiro, after Federal Highway Police dogs found marijuana in his bags on a bus traveling from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Gracie allegedly was in possession of several forms of cannabis according to police. Authorities believe Gracie brought the drugs with him from the Unites States after finding a boarding pass from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo in his belongings.

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The 9th degree red belt in jiu-jitsu was charged with drug trafficking and could face up to 15 years in prison.

Gracie has trained numerous BJJ black belts over the years. He was also one of the key trainers for younger brother Royce Gracie, who dominated the early UFC events upon the promotion’s launch in the early 1990s.