Brazil court opens probe of Lula's son over cannabis deal

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court has authorized a federal police investigation into the eldest son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over allegations of influence-peddling and corruption related to the medicinal cannabis market. Justice André Mendonça approved the request on Thursday, July 30, 2026, allowing authorities to begin a preliminary evidence-gathering phase.

The investigation will examine whether the president's son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, acted as an intermediary for private interests seeking access to the Ministry of Health and the presidential office. According to the police request, he is suspected of working with businesswoman Roberta Luchsinger and lobbyist Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes on behalf of a company called World Cannabis to facilitate the supply of cannabis-based medicinal products to Brazil's public health system. The alleged deal did not materialize.

No formal charges have been filed, and Fábio Luís Lula da Silva is presumed innocent. The authorization marks the start of an investigative inquiry, after which federal prosecutors will decide whether to pursue an indictment.

The lobbyist at the center of the allegations, Antônio...