FBI searches home of internet adoption broker

FBI agents have searched the home of an internet adoption broker at the centre of the international dispute over a pair of twin baby girls.

Social workers removed three children from the home of Tina Johnson in El Cajon, in San Diego, California.

Federal agents were also seen carrying away a computer and several boxes from the home .

The agency is at the centre of an international wrangle after British couple Alan and Judith Kilshaw adopted the twins over the internet.

San Diego County's Child Protective Services agency removed two infants and a toddler from the home. Authorities gave no information about the identity of the children or their relationship to Johnson.

FBI spokeswoman Jan Caldwell would not comment on the search.

The FBI previously said Johnson was under investigation for allegations of fraud in connection with her internet adoption brokerage.

A California couple said they tried to adopt the girls from Johnson's brokerage, A Caring Heart, but lost them to the Kilshaws, from Mold, north Wales, who paid twice as much - $12,000 (£8,000). Other couples have also claimed Johnson accepted fees for adoptions that were never completed.

The twin girls are now in foster care in Britain while the courts sort out the dispute.

Johnson, through a spokeswoman, said in January that she took fees to facilitate adoption and did not sell children to the highest bidder.