🚨 She called herself “Dra. Mayling” and was injecting strangers with mystery “Botox”… right up until undercover cops stormed in MID-PROCEDURE!

31-year-old Mayling Maya-Giraldo ran a slick Instagram hustle in Miami’s trendy Brickell district, posing as a licensed doctor while pumping clients full of an illegal Korean knockoff called Toxta — a prescription drug NOT approved in the U.S. that could cause serious harm.

She even showed fake “certifications,” took $450 cash payments, and was seconds from jabbing an undercover agent when they slapped cuffs on her. Now she’s hit with felony charges and an immigration hold — but what investigators uncovered about her operation, her clients’ risks, and why this is exploding in Florida’s beauty scene… is downright terrifying.

Read more:

A 31-year-old woman operating an unlicensed cosmetic injection business in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood was arrested February 19, 2026, after undercover investigators caught her preparing to administer an unapproved substance during a staged Botox appointment.

Mayling Maya-Giraldo, originally from Colombia and residing in downtown Miami, faces multiple felony charges including practicing a health care profession without a license, possession of a prescription drug with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, and misrepresenting a medical license. She was taken into custody at her studio located at 175 SW 7th St. and is being held on an immigration detainer, according to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (M-DSO) records.

The investigation began following a tip from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding Maya-Giraldo’s activities. The Florida Department of Health confirmed she held no license to practice any health profession in the state, including administering Botox or other injectable treatments.

Maya-Giraldo promoted her services primarily through Instagram accounts under handles such as @mayling.stetic and “Dra.Mayling.Stetic.” Her bio described her as a “doctor,” and the page featured videos and photos of her performing procedures including Botox injections, lip fillers, and Endolift laser treatments. She advertised directly to clients, booking appointments and accepting cash payments.

An undercover investigator, using the alias “Joseph,” scheduled and paid for a Botox session costing $450. Upon arrival, Maya-Giraldo collected the fee, returned $50 in change, cleaned the investigator’s forehead with makeup remover, and applied a topical lidocaine numbing agent. She then prepared a syringe with a substance she claimed was Botox.

According to the arrest affidavit, the product was identified as “Toxta,” a botulinum toxin manufactured in South Korea. Toxta is a prescription-only drug not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic or medical use in the United States. Authorities noted that importing or distributing such unapproved substances carries significant health risks, including potential contamination, incorrect potency, and severe side effects such as infection, allergic reactions, or even paralysis if improperly administered.

Maya-Giraldo allegedly told investigators she had no medical license in Florida or anywhere in the U.S. but possessed “certifications” allowing her to perform injections. Court documents state she entered a written plea of not guilty to the charges.

The arrest occurred shortly after 3:10 p.m. on February 19, with deputies from the M-DSO Organized Crimes Bureau executing the sting in coordination with state health officials. Maya-Giraldo appeared in Miami-Dade County bond court the following day.

This case highlights ongoing concerns in Florida’s booming cosmetic industry, particularly the rise of unlicensed “med spas” and injectors operating out of non-medical settings. Social media platforms have made it easier for unqualified individuals to market procedures as safe and affordable, often undercutting licensed professionals. Experts warn that Botox and similar injectables are medical procedures requiring precise knowledge of facial anatomy to avoid complications like vascular occlusion, which can lead to tissue death, blindness, or stroke.

The Florida Department of Health and law enforcement have increased crackdowns on unlicensed practitioners in recent years, especially in South Florida where demand for cosmetic enhancements remains high. Similar cases have involved individuals using counterfeit or foreign-sourced products, raising public safety alarms.

Maya-Giraldo’s Instagram presence reportedly included client testimonials and before-and-after photos, drawing in customers seeking cheaper alternatives to licensed dermatologists or plastic surgeons. Authorities have not released details on how many clients she may have treated or whether any reported injuries, but the investigation remains active.

In statements reviewed from court records, Maya-Giraldo claimed her training came from certifications, though she admitted lacking formal medical licensure. Prosecutors argue her misrepresentation as a “doctor” and use of an unapproved drug constitute felonies with potential prison time if convicted.

The incident has sparked renewed calls from medical professionals for stricter regulations on social media advertising of cosmetic procedures and better consumer education about verifying credentials. Licensed providers emphasize that only physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants under supervision should perform injectables in appropriate clinical settings.

Maya-Giraldo’s arrest follows a pattern of enforcement actions in Miami-Dade County targeting unlicensed health practitioners. Previous cases have involved fake dentists, massage therapists offering medical services, and others exploiting regulatory gaps.

For patients who may have received treatments from Maya-Giraldo, authorities urge anyone experiencing adverse effects to seek medical attention and contact investigators. The M-DSO and Florida Department of Health continue to encourage tips from the public regarding suspected unlicensed activity.

As the case proceeds through the courts, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures in an era where anyone can claim expertise online. While Maya-Giraldo’s operation appeared polished on social media, the sting operation revealed a lack of oversight that could have endangered clients seeking enhancements.

Community reaction in Miami has been mixed, with some expressing shock at the ease of such operations and others calling for harsher penalties to deter similar schemes. The combination of felony charges and an immigration hold adds further complexity to the legal proceedings ahead.