MrBeast Challenge Winner Detained in Paraguay as US Marijuana Heads South
The seizure of a private jet carrying high-THC cannabis in Paraguay points to a quiet reversal in the hemisphere’s marijuana trade, as premium product from the United States moves south into markets once supplied by low-cost Paraguayan cannabis.
A private jet co-piloted by the winner of a MrBeast YouTube challenge was seized by Paraguayan authorities after more than 250 kilograms of premium marijuana were found on board, underscoring a little-noted reversal in hemispheric trafficking patterns: higher-value marijuana is now moving into South America from the North.
A private jet co-piloted by the winner of a MrBeast YouTube challenge was seized by Paraguayan authorities after more than 250 kilograms of premium marijuana were found on board, underscoring a little-noticed reversal in hemispheric trafficking patterns: Higher-value marijuana is now moving into South America from the North.
Paraguayan authorities found 261.6 kilograms of high-THC marijuana, valued at $3.6 million, as it was being unloaded from the private jet at Asunción’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport on May 29. Among those detained was 20-year-old influencer and co-pilot Jabari Stephen Brown. Known to his online followers as “Captain Treezy,” Brown rose to social media fame after winning a viral challenge hosted by MrBeast in late 2025, which awarded him a $2 million private jet.
Paraguayan authorities found 261.6 kilograms of marijuana with a high-THC content valued at $3.6 million being unloaded from the private jet at Asuncion’s Silvio Pettirosi International Airport on May 29. Among those detained was 20-year-old influencer and co-pilot Jabari Stephen Brown. Known to his followers online as “Captain Treezy,” Brown rose to social media fame after winning a viral challenge hosted by MrBeast in late 2025, which awarded him a $2 million private jet.
According to the Paraguayan government, the aircraft departed Miami and stopped in Panama before arriving in Paraguay. Government investigators believe the marijuana was bound for Brazil, where demand for premium versions of the imported drug is increasingly eclipsing the low-cost compressed cannabis, known as prensado, that Paraguay has long supplied to regional markets. Paraguayan anti-drug prosecutor Ingrid Cubilla said the marijuana’s estimated value was driven by demand in the neighboring country, where each kilogram could fetch nearly $14,000 on the illicit market.
According to the Paraguayan government, the aircraft departed from Miami and made a stop in Panama before arriving in Paraguay. Government investigators believe the marijuana was headed to Brazil, where demand for premium versions of the imported drug is increasingly eclipsing the low-cost compressed cannabis, known as prensado, that Paraguay has long supplied to regional markets. Paraguayan anti-drug prosecutor Ingrid Cubilla said the marijuana’s estimated value was driven by demand in the neighboring country, where each kilogram could fetch nearly $14,000 on the illicit market.
SEE ALSO: GameChangers 2025: The 10-Year Evolution of Latin America’s Booming Marijuana Market
SEE ALSO: GameChangers 2025: The 10-Year Evolution of Latin America’s Booming Marijuana Market
After news of the seizure broke, many social media users mistakenly conflated the aircraft involved with the same jet Brown had won from MrBeast. But Brown’s prize was a Hawker 400XP, while the aircraft seized in Paraguay was a Bombardier Challenger 604.
Following news of the seizure, many social media users incorrectly conflated the aircraft involved as the same jet Brown had won from MrBeast. But Brown’s prize was a Hawker 400XP, while the aircraft seized in Paraguay was a Bombardier Challenger 604.
Authorities identified the jet’s second pilot and registered owner as Estonian citizen Keith Siilats, a co-founder of the now-defunct US micromobility startup Bolt Mobility. Cubilla said an arrest warrant had been issued for Siilats for international drug trafficking and unauthorized possession of narcotics.
Authorities identified the second pilot and registered owner of the jet as Estonian citizen Keith Siilats, a co-founder of the now-defunct US micromobility startup Bolt Mobility. An arrest warrant has been issued for Siilats, said Cubilla, for international drug trafficking and unauthorized possession of narcotics.
Three other American passengers aboard the jet remain in Paraguayan custody.
Three other American passengers aboard the jet remain in Paraguayan custody.
Brown was briefly detained after the seizure, but investigators later determined there was no evidence that he knew about the drugs on board. He was released on May 31, according to a representative of Paraguay’s drug enforcement agency.
Brown was briefly detained following the seizure, but investigators later determined there was no evidence he knew about the drugs on board. He was released on May 31, according to a representative of Paraguay’s drug enforcement agency.
InSight Crime AnalysisInSight Crime Analysis
The expansion of legal cannabis markets in the United States over the past decade has sharply increased domestic cultivation capacity, reshaping the geography of the trade.
The expansion of legal cannabis markets in the United States over the past decade has dramatically increased domestic cultivation capacity, reshaping the geography of the trade.
As legal production outstripped demand in many states, wholesale cannabis prices collapsed. The US Cannabis Spot Index stood at $1,056 per pound in May 2026, after years of steep price compression driven by chronic oversupply. Between 2021 and 2023, wholesale prices fell sharply as cultivators continued to expand output despite slowing market growth. Some of that excess production, particularly from California and Florida, home to the country’s largest medical cannabis market, has increasingly been diverted into illicit markets in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
As legal production outpaced demand in many states, wholesale cannabis prices collapsed. The US Cannabis Spot Index stood at $1,056 per pound in May 2026, after years of steep price compression driven by chronic oversupply. Between 2021 and 2023, wholesale prices fell sharply as cultivators continued to expand output despite slowing market growth. Some of that excess production, particularly from California and Florida—home to the country’s largest medical cannabis market—has increasingly been diverted into illicit markets in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Paraguay, for instance, has historically been South America’s leading marijuana exporter, but its trade has centered on low-potency, compressed cannabis bricks that sell wholesale for about $150 per kilogram. High-potency marijuana imported from the United States can command prices approaching 100 times that amount. And Paraguayan authorities have reported a string of seizures involving high-THC cannabis arriving from the United States, including a notable interception in December 2025.
Paraguay, for instance, has historically been South America’s leading marijuana exporter, but its trade has centered on low-potency, compressed cannabis bricks that sell for about $150 per kilogram wholesale. High-potency marijuana imported from the United States can command prices approaching 100 times that amount. And Paraguayan authorities have reported a string of seizures involving high-THC cannabis arriving from the US, including a notable interception in December 2025.