Brazil, Argentina launch crackdown on child abuse
The third stage of Operation Luz na Infância (“Light in Childhood,” in a literal English translation) was launched on Thursday morning by the Public Security Ministry. Civil police agents from 18 states and the Federal District have been serving 69 search and seizure warrants since the early hours. All moves are being spearheaded in a partnership between the National Public Security Secretariat (Senasp) and the Civil Police bodies in each state.
An official note says the operation “continues the efforts to identify crimes linked to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adolescents online.”
Authorities in Buenos Aires, Argentina, are also taking part in the crackdown, with 41 search orders being exercised in the neighboring country simultaneously.
“The international targets were spotted after joint efforts between Senasp’s intelligence agents and the police in Argentina. The simultaneous actions in Brazil and Argentina have engaged approximately a thousand police,” the note reads.
Light in Childhood
The operation started in October 2017, when 157 orders were served and 112 abusers were arrested. In its second phase, in May 2018, 579 search warrants were conducted, which led to the imprisonment of 251 people.
