Police have arrested the head of a Brazilian prostitution network active in Belgium. The arrest occurred during searches at several locations as part of an international investigation into human trafficking.
The Federal Judicial Police in Brussels carried out searches in various locations in Belgium on Wednesday, the Federal Public Prosecutor confirmed in a statement. A total of 11 searches took place in several towns and cities across the country, including Brussels, Liège, Flémalle, Halle, Braine-l'Alleud, Ostend, Aalst, Geraardsbergen and Ghent.
"Five people were deprived of their liberty and brought in for interrogation," the Prosecutor wrote. "The investigating judge will later decide whether to issue an arrest warrant."
Two other people, both of Brazilian nationality and both involved in the specific case, were deprived of their liberty on Tuesday. The investigating judge has not yet decided on their arrest. One of these people is believed to be a leader of the gang, local media reported.
Series of arrests
The police confirmed these actions are part of the dismantling of a Brazilian prostitution network active in Belgium, but also in Croatia and Brazil. "The gang is, among others, involved in human trafficking (sexual exploitation) and money laundering."
The organisation reportedly recruits women and transgender persons in Brazil and Colombia to employ them as prostitutes in Belgium and Europe. The investigation was launched in 2023. In September, some 20 victims were identified, digital wallets containing €4.25 million worth of cryptocurrencies were seized, and at least three suspects were arrested, including the suspected key figure, Brazilian Mauricio G.
He was repeatedly convicted when living in Belgium for prostitution-related crimes, but returned to Brazil in 2022, where he is said to have risen within the organisation's ranks. One of the suspects arrested on Tuesday is said to be his right-hand man in Belgium.
