Indonesian police have unveiled an alarming baby trafficking ring that has allegedly sold at least 25 infants to buyers in Singapore since the start of 2023. In a recent operation, authorities arrested 13 suspects in Pontianak and Tangerang, rescuing six babies aged around one year old, who were on the brink of being trafficked.
According to police, these infants were initially housed in Pontianak, where traffickers arranged their immigration documents before sending them off to Singapore. Police commissioner Surawan mentioned that the syndicate aimed to target expectant mothers or parents unwilling to care for their infants. Communication often began on social media, such as Facebook, before transitioning to private chat platforms like WhatsApp.
"Some babies were even reserved while still in the womb," Surawan stated. Once the infants were born, the traffickers covered the delivery costs and compensated the parents before taking the babies. The operation involved various members, including recruiters, caretakers, and document forgers.
The babies were typically sold for between 11 million and 16 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately $673 to $1,035) each. Reports reveal at least 12 baby boys and 13 baby girls were sold across different regions in Indonesia, primarily from West Java.
Following the arrests, police emphasized the importance of tracking down the adopters in Singapore. "We will verify the details of the babies who were sent abroad," Surawan noted, as police suspected many infants had their nationalities changed through illegal means.
The investigation has uncovered disturbing trends; while none of the babies reportedly faced kidnapping, some parents might have willingly sold their children due to financial struggles. Those parents could also face charges alongside the traffickers if proof of collaboration is found.
The Indonesian police are reaching out to both Interpol and Singaporean authorities to apprehend additional syndicate members and buyers while issuing wanted notices for the suspects. According to Ai Rahmayanti of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, vulnerable women are often targeted by such syndicates, misleading them with promises of assistance.
Rahmayanti added that the prevalence of baby trafficking in Indonesia has intensified, with a marked increase in reported cases regarding child abduction and illegal adoption. In 2023 alone, there were 59 documented cases, up from just 11 in the previous year. Concerns continue to grow regarding the trafficking of infants in hiding and the operations of these international syndicates.
