Brazilian police are investigating a Portuguese national on suspicion of child trafficking.

Brazil’s Federal Police are investigating a Portuguese national who may have been involved in international child trafficking after registering two newborn Brazilian children in his name, the agency said Monday.

The investigation began after the Sao Paulo State Prosecutor’s Office received information on November 30 that a newborn baby in the city of Valinhos, who is still in hospital, was abandoned by his mother and registered as the son of a Portuguese man. citizen not identified by the police.

“Suspicion fell on possible international trafficking of babies and it turned out that in less than a month the same man of Portuguese nationality registered another newborn in the same hospital as his daughter,” the Federal Police said in a statement. .

The police department added that it determined that these paternity records “were the result of the use of false documents in state courts, in various courts, accompanied by requests for unilateral custody of the infants, which would allow him to leave the country without the mother’s consent.” agreement.”

In a statement, the police department said four search warrants, one search and arrest warrant and a preventive arrest were being executed in the cities of Valinhos and Itatiba in Sao Paulo state, indicating the involvement of several people. this child trafficking network.

Those involved may be prosecuted for crimes related to international trafficking of children, false registration, facilitating activities aimed at sending a child or young person abroad without following legal formalities or for the purpose of profit, as well as for other crimes punishable by penalties, which can exceed 18 years in prison.