Da Rocha, showing his changed appearance after plastic surgery. Photo / AP
Da Rocha had changed his name to Vitor Luiz de Moraes and had plastic surgery to alter his facial features, but police compared old photographs with his current appearance and concluded they had apprehended the right person.
The operation to catch him - Operation Spectrum - saw 150 agents carry out two dozen raids, during which they seized $10million worth of luxury cars, planes and property including farms.
Police say his organisation produced cocaine in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia, and exported it to Europe and the United States via Brazil and Paraguay.
They estimate that da Rocha brought in 5 tones of cocaine per month in Brazil alone.
Police also accuse da Rocha of being one of the main suppliers to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's violent drug traffickers.
A suitcase with currency, a gun and other objects belonging to da Rocha. Photo / AP
Described by police as "a criminal who lived discreetly and in the shadows", da Rocha has a reputation for violence, with his gang using weapons and armoured cars.
Da Rocha faces more than 50 years in prison for international drug trafficking and money laundering convictions.
Police hope to capture the rest of his wealth, some of which is believed to be sitting in offshore bank accounts.
