According to a statement from SEF, the 38-year-old man “was arrested when he presented himself at the border accompanied by three female children, aged between 8 and 12 years old”.

The individual, from Bissau, declared that two of the children were his daughters and that the other was his stepdaughter, whole explaining that the reason for the trip was due to the need to have medical treatment in the country.

Following several steps, the investigation found “strong indications” of human trafficking and aiding illegal immigration and the three children were removed from the suspect and placed in the care of a specialised multidisciplinary team that referred the minors to a shelter under instruction of the Family and Minors Court.