This past Thursday afternoon, Brazilian police conducted search warrants at a site in Pacatuba associated with individuals suspected of attempting kidnapping. The operation involved several agencies, including the Civil Police, the Guardianship Council, and the Public Ministry of Ceará. While the police were carrying out the operation, false rumors spread on social media claiming that the bodies of children were found at the site, which the Secretary of Public Security in Ceará later confirmed to be untrue.

The operation has drawn attention not only for its serious undertones regarding potential kidnapping but also due to the identity of those living at the site. The National Network of Gypsy Peoples issued a statement critiquing the police actions, defending that the residents—who are members of the Gypsy community—are unfairly targeted by baseless rumors and prejudice. This highlights the longstanding discrimination faced by marginalized communities in Brazil.

As part of the police operation, various electronic devices and vehicles were seized for forensic examination. Residents of the site were taken to the Maracanaú Police Station for questioning, along with the caretaker of the property. The combination of a serious criminal investigation and ethnic targeting in the coverage raises broader questions about law enforcement practices and the societal attitudes toward Gypsies in Brazil.