An international baby trafficking syndicate exposed in Indonesia has reportedly sold at least 25 infants to buyers in Singapore. Thirteen arrests were made, and six babies were rescued, revealing a troubling network preying on vulnerable mothers.**
Indonesian Police Unveil Major International Baby Trafficking Ring**
Indonesian Police Unveil Major International Baby Trafficking Ring**
Authorities rescue infants and make multiple arrests in extensive operation targeting child trafficking.**
In a significant crackdown, Indonesian police have revealed the workings of an international baby trafficking network, which is accused of selling at least 25 infants to clients in Singapore since the beginning of 2023. Conducted primarily in the Indonesian cities of Pontianak and Tangerang, this operation has led to 13 arrests and the rescue of six young children, all around a year old.
According to Surawan, the head of general criminal investigation for West Java Police, the syndicate took measures to ensure smooth illegal operations. Babies were initially housed in Pontianak as their immigration documentation was prepared before they were shipped off to Singapore. "Some babies were even reserved while they were still in the womb," Surawan stated to BBC News Indonesia, highlighting the shocking methods employed by the traffickers.
Police investigations revealed that the group utilized social media platforms like Facebook to reach out to expectant mothers, eventually leading the conversations to more private messaging channels, such as WhatsApp. The traffickers targeted parents unwilling to raise their children, often using deceptive promises. When the babies were born, the syndicate arranged for delivery costs, already having compensation agreements in place.
Once taken from their biological parents, the infants were placed in custody for a period of two to three months during which their documentation was fabricated, including birth certificates and passports. Prices for the adoption reportedly ranged from 11 million to 16 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately $673 to $1,077) per child. The police estimated that at least 12 male and 13 female babies had been sold both domestically and internationally, sourced from various areas within West Java.
The immediate focus for law enforcement is to locate the adoptive parents in Singapore, and it has been stated that all necessary cross-checking processes will be initiated to trace each child. Surawan emphasized that none of the infants were kidnapped, as the parents were often complicit in these transactions due to financial constraints. Authorities have indicated that if parents are found guilty of complicity, they too could face serious criminal charges.
The Indonesian police force has reached out to Interpol for assistance in apprehending the remaining syndicate members who may still be operating abroad. Additionally, they seek cooperation from Singaporean law enforcement to identify the individuals responsible for the purchasing of the trafficked children.
Ai Rahmayanti, a commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), noted that child trafficking syndicates typically target susceptible women facing dire situations, including unwanted pregnancies or abandonment by partners. With abortion being heavily restricted in Indonesia, women often find themselves with few options.
KPAI has recorded a worrying increase in trafficking cases, jumping from 11 incidences of illegal child adoption in 2020 to 59 in 2023 alone. The commission characterizes many of these illegal enterprises as fronted by clinics or shelters that seem to offer support but ultimately lure vulnerable mothers into trafficking deals under the guise of maternity care.
The recent revelations underscore a pressing social issue in Indonesia, with growing concerns about child trafficking and illegal adoptions. Authorities are now keenly aware of the need to combat this escalating problem as they work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's operations and protect the vulnerable.
According to Surawan, the head of general criminal investigation for West Java Police, the syndicate took measures to ensure smooth illegal operations. Babies were initially housed in Pontianak as their immigration documentation was prepared before they were shipped off to Singapore. "Some babies were even reserved while they were still in the womb," Surawan stated to BBC News Indonesia, highlighting the shocking methods employed by the traffickers.
Police investigations revealed that the group utilized social media platforms like Facebook to reach out to expectant mothers, eventually leading the conversations to more private messaging channels, such as WhatsApp. The traffickers targeted parents unwilling to raise their children, often using deceptive promises. When the babies were born, the syndicate arranged for delivery costs, already having compensation agreements in place.
Once taken from their biological parents, the infants were placed in custody for a period of two to three months during which their documentation was fabricated, including birth certificates and passports. Prices for the adoption reportedly ranged from 11 million to 16 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately $673 to $1,077) per child. The police estimated that at least 12 male and 13 female babies had been sold both domestically and internationally, sourced from various areas within West Java.
The immediate focus for law enforcement is to locate the adoptive parents in Singapore, and it has been stated that all necessary cross-checking processes will be initiated to trace each child. Surawan emphasized that none of the infants were kidnapped, as the parents were often complicit in these transactions due to financial constraints. Authorities have indicated that if parents are found guilty of complicity, they too could face serious criminal charges.
The Indonesian police force has reached out to Interpol for assistance in apprehending the remaining syndicate members who may still be operating abroad. Additionally, they seek cooperation from Singaporean law enforcement to identify the individuals responsible for the purchasing of the trafficked children.
Ai Rahmayanti, a commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), noted that child trafficking syndicates typically target susceptible women facing dire situations, including unwanted pregnancies or abandonment by partners. With abortion being heavily restricted in Indonesia, women often find themselves with few options.
KPAI has recorded a worrying increase in trafficking cases, jumping from 11 incidences of illegal child adoption in 2020 to 59 in 2023 alone. The commission characterizes many of these illegal enterprises as fronted by clinics or shelters that seem to offer support but ultimately lure vulnerable mothers into trafficking deals under the guise of maternity care.
The recent revelations underscore a pressing social issue in Indonesia, with growing concerns about child trafficking and illegal adoptions. Authorities are now keenly aware of the need to combat this escalating problem as they work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's operations and protect the vulnerable.
