Six Infants Rescued in Indonesia After Baby-Trafficking Bust

Six infants have been rescued in Indonesia as authorities dismantled a baby-trafficking ring linked to buyers in Singapore. The operation, conducted by the West Java Police, revealed that the syndicate had reportedly completed 24 transactions since the beginning of 2023. According to the Director of General Crime Investigation of the West Java Police Department, Surawan, five of the rescued babies were destined for buyers in Singapore, while one was to be sent to Pontianak.

The police report indicates that the six infants, aged between two to three months, were intercepted just before their planned transport. Surawan explained, “According to the suspects’ statements, the babies were to be adopted in Singapore, but we are still investigating this further.” Each baby sold in Singapore was reportedly priced between 11 million to 16 million rupiah (approximately $750 to $1,100), with many being obtained from biological mothers who surrendered them voluntarily, while others were allegedly kidnapped.

Details of the Trafficking Operation

Twelve individuals have been identified as suspects in this trafficking case. They have been arrested and are facing interrogation, according to Hendra Rochmawan, the head of public relations for the West Java Police. The roles of those arrested varied, including recruiters, caregivers, and couriers responsible for delivering the infants to their intended destinations.

Hendra stated, “We did not only detain the suspects, we also seized some evidence such as fake identity cards, passports, and other documents identifying the victims.” The police are actively investigating the 24 infants previously sold, with Interpol involved in efforts to track down the babies already in Singapore.

The investigation was initiated after a parent reported that their child had been kidnapped. Surawan noted that most of the cases originate from West Java. “The case started from a report made by a parent whose child was kidnapped, and we developed the case based on the suspects in West Java,” he said.

The rescued infants are currently receiving medical treatment at Bhayangkara Sartika Asih Hospital in Bandung. Surawan confirmed that plans are in place for all victims to be placed in the shelter of the West Java Social Service.

Previous Incidents and Ongoing Challenges

This incident is not the first case of baby trafficking between Indonesia and Singapore. In 2016, Indonesian authorities arrested three suspects in Batam for attempting to sell a three-month-old baby boy to Singapore for approximately US$8,000. The persistence of such trafficking rings highlights ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable infants and preventing human trafficking.

As investigations continue, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat this alarming trend. The cooperation between Indonesian police and international agencies like Interpol is crucial in addressing the issue and ensuring that those involved in these crimes are held accountable.