Brazil’s Federal Police (PF) used the first week of 2026 to run a multi-agency sweep at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport. Between 1 and 5 January officers arrested fugitives from three states, seized multiple counterfeit passports and intercepted a cocaine courier bound for France.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
A communiqué dated 6 January highlights new ultraviolet scanners and real-time checks against INTERPOL databases. An automated triage engine now assigns each traveller a risk score before they reach the primary booth—technology PF says has doubled document-fraud detections year-on-year, albeit at the cost of slightly longer queues during peak periods.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
![Federal Police crackdown at Guarulhos doubles fake-passport detections]()
Travelers who want to confirm whether their passport or visa situation meets the tighter Brazilian standards can save time by checking requirements through VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/). The service consolidates official updates, provides personalized visa guides and offers expedited document processing—practical support for both corporate mobility teams and leisure visitors navigating the new enforcement landscape.
For global mobility teams the stricter controls raise the bar for passport hygiene. Travellers should ensure passports are in pristine condition and that any second nationality is properly recorded in HR files. Holders of emergency or temporary passports are being advised to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier. Airlines with crew bases at GRU report minimal departure delays so far.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
PF says the document-forensics upgrade will roll out to Rio Galeão and Brasília before Carnival, part of nationwide “Operação Janus” linking customs, immigration and narcotics intelligence. Companies should brief expatriates on the new screening regime and review corporate-travel policies to avoid missed flights due to unexpected secondary inspections.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
A communiqué dated 6 January highlights new ultraviolet scanners and real-time checks against INTERPOL databases. An automated triage engine now assigns each traveller a risk score before they reach the primary booth—technology PF says has doubled document-fraud detections year-on-year, albeit at the cost of slightly longer queues during peak periods.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
Travelers who want to confirm whether their passport or visa situation meets the tighter Brazilian standards can save time by checking requirements through VisaHQ’s Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/). The service consolidates official updates, provides personalized visa guides and offers expedited document processing—practical support for both corporate mobility teams and leisure visitors navigating the new enforcement landscape.
For global mobility teams the stricter controls raise the bar for passport hygiene. Travellers should ensure passports are in pristine condition and that any second nationality is properly recorded in HR files. Holders of emergency or temporary passports are being advised to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier. Airlines with crew bases at GRU report minimal departure delays so far.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
PF says the document-forensics upgrade will roll out to Rio Galeão and Brasília before Carnival, part of nationwide “Operação Janus” linking customs, immigration and narcotics intelligence. Companies should brief expatriates on the new screening regime and review corporate-travel policies to avoid missed flights due to unexpected secondary inspections.([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/br/federal-police-step-up-document-forensics-at-guarulhos-netting-fugitives-fake-passports-and-cocaine/))
