Indonesian police have made significant progress in dismantling a disturbing international baby trafficking operation, which has allegedly sold at least 25 infants to buyers in Singapore since the beginning of 2023. Authorities have arrested 13 individuals involved in the syndicate in the Indonesian cities of Pontianak and Tangerang, successfully rescuing six babies who were on the verge of being trafficked. Police disclosed that these infants are all around one year old.
According to police commissioner Surawan, the infants were initially located in Pontianak where their immigration documents were arranged, before being sent to Singapore. "Some babies were even reserved while still in the womb," he noted. The syndicate reportedly targeted parents or expectant mothers who were unwilling to raise their child, often connecting with them via social media platforms like Facebook before switching to more private communication via WhatsApp.
The operation's alarming modus operandi resulted in the birth of these babies being arranged through agreements between traffickers and parents, with delivery costs covered and compensation offered. Police explained that the traffickers' network involved recruiters, caretakers, and individuals falsifying civil documents such as birth certificates and passports. Following their removal from their mothers, the babies were held for two to three months before being sent to Jakarta and then Pontianak, where the necessary documents for international travel were prepared.
The traffickers reportedly sold the babies at prices ranging from 11 million Indonesian rupiah ($673) to 16 million Indonesian rupiah ($1,058). The current focus of the police is to identify and locate the buyers in Singapore, cross-referencing data on the infants who left Indonesia with the known adopters.
In a stark revelation, Surawan explained that none of the babies were reported missing through kidnapping, with parents only claiming as such when brokers failed to fulfill their payment obligations. He suspects many parents may have agreed to the trafficking due to dire financial situations, and they could also face legal charges if proven complicit in the arrangements.
Police in Indonesia have called for cooperation with Interpol and law enforcement in Singapore to apprehend remaining members of the syndicate, as well as buyers. "We will issue a red notice to ensure these perpetrators are brought to justice," Surawan stated.
Organizations such as the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) have noted the rising trend of traffickers exploiting vulnerable women in desperate situations, including those facing unwanted pregnancies due to various distressing circumstances. Many traffickers operate under the guise of maternity clinics or orphanages, misleading women into believing they offer compassionate care.
While exact statistics on the frequency of such trafficked infants in Indonesia remain elusive, reports indicate that the issue is both persistent and escalating, with KPAI reporting an increase from 11 cases of illegal adoption in 2020 to 59 cases related to abduction and trafficking this year alone. Amid the disturbing prevalence of these crimes, Indonesian officials are committed to combating this scourge and ensuring the safety and rights of children are upheld.
