Indonesian police have dismantled a significant international baby trafficking ring, which has allegedly sold at least 25 infants to buyers in Singapore since 2023. This operation led to the arrest of 13 individuals in the cities of Pontianak and Tangerang, along with the rescue of six infants, all around one year old, who were on the brink of being trafficked. The authorities revealed that the babies were initially housed in Pontianak, where their immigration documents were prepared before being transferred to Singapore.
According to West Java Police's general criminal investigation director, Surawan, the syndicate strategically targeted expectant mothers unwilling to raise their children, often initiating contact through social media platforms such as Facebook and subsequently moving discussions to more private messaging channels like WhatsApp. Surawan lamented, "Some babies were even reserved while still in the womb," outlining how the traffickers covered delivery expenses and offered compensation to mothers before taking the babies after birth.
Police reports indicate the network comprised various roles, including recruiters, caretakers, and individuals responsible for generating fraudulent civil documentation like family cards and passports. After being taken from their biological mothers, infants spent two to three months with caretakers before being moved to Jakarta and then back to Pontianak for document preparation. Each baby reportedly sold for between 11 million to 16 million Indonesian rupiahs ($673; £502).
The investigation revealed that at least 12 male and 13 female infants were trafficked, mainly from diverse districts in West Java. Authorities are now focused on locating the adopters in Singapore to better understand the extent of the syndicate's operations. Surawan stated they would cross-reference data on infants sent abroad to trace their adoptive families.
Notably, the police mentioned that none of the babies were kidnapped. Instead, many parents, possibly facing severe financial difficulties, entered agreements to sell their children. If proven true, these parents could face charges related to child protection crimes and human trafficking offenses.
Indonesian police have enlisted the help of Interpol and Singaporean authorities in the pursuit of remaining members of the syndicate who have fled abroad. This initiative includes issuing red notices for suspects and appealing for international law enforcement assistance.
Local organizations, like the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), emphasize that traffickers typically exploit vulnerable women, often showcasing fraudulent maternity clinics or shelters that masquerade as places offering care. Despite prohibitive legal frameworks regarding abortion in Indonesia, these syndicates have persisted, with KPAI marking an alarming increase in reported child trafficking cases from 11 in 2020 to 59 in just the first half of 2023.
While prices for trafficked infants vary—between 11 million and 26 million Indonesian rupiahs depending on the region and even the baby's physical attributes—such transactions remain a grim reality for many desperate families. KPAI continues to advocate for the victims, striving to combat this disturbing trend in child trafficking.
According to West Java Police's general criminal investigation director, Surawan, the syndicate strategically targeted expectant mothers unwilling to raise their children, often initiating contact through social media platforms such as Facebook and subsequently moving discussions to more private messaging channels like WhatsApp. Surawan lamented, "Some babies were even reserved while still in the womb," outlining how the traffickers covered delivery expenses and offered compensation to mothers before taking the babies after birth.
Police reports indicate the network comprised various roles, including recruiters, caretakers, and individuals responsible for generating fraudulent civil documentation like family cards and passports. After being taken from their biological mothers, infants spent two to three months with caretakers before being moved to Jakarta and then back to Pontianak for document preparation. Each baby reportedly sold for between 11 million to 16 million Indonesian rupiahs ($673; £502).
The investigation revealed that at least 12 male and 13 female infants were trafficked, mainly from diverse districts in West Java. Authorities are now focused on locating the adopters in Singapore to better understand the extent of the syndicate's operations. Surawan stated they would cross-reference data on infants sent abroad to trace their adoptive families.
Notably, the police mentioned that none of the babies were kidnapped. Instead, many parents, possibly facing severe financial difficulties, entered agreements to sell their children. If proven true, these parents could face charges related to child protection crimes and human trafficking offenses.
Indonesian police have enlisted the help of Interpol and Singaporean authorities in the pursuit of remaining members of the syndicate who have fled abroad. This initiative includes issuing red notices for suspects and appealing for international law enforcement assistance.
Local organizations, like the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), emphasize that traffickers typically exploit vulnerable women, often showcasing fraudulent maternity clinics or shelters that masquerade as places offering care. Despite prohibitive legal frameworks regarding abortion in Indonesia, these syndicates have persisted, with KPAI marking an alarming increase in reported child trafficking cases from 11 in 2020 to 59 in just the first half of 2023.
While prices for trafficked infants vary—between 11 million and 26 million Indonesian rupiahs depending on the region and even the baby's physical attributes—such transactions remain a grim reality for many desperate families. KPAI continues to advocate for the victims, striving to combat this disturbing trend in child trafficking.
