Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — West Java Police have uncovered a cross-border baby trafficking operation in which Indonesian infants were sold to adoptive families in Singapore for tens of millions of rupiah each. Authorities say the trafficking network has been active since 2023.
“Each baby was sold for between Rp11 million and Rp16 million (approximately $670 to $975),” said West Java Police Criminal Investigation Director Kombes Pol Surawan on Tuesday, July 15.
According to investigators, at least 24 babies are believed to have been trafficked to Singapore through this network. Police say the operation involved multiple roles, including recruiters, caretakers, document forgers, and couriers.
Some babies were allegedly taken with parental consent, but others were forcibly taken — in some cases, deals were arranged before the babies were even born. “There were instances where the child was ordered while still in the womb, and the traffickers covered delivery costs before taking the baby,” Surawan said.
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West Java Police recently rescued six infants from Pontianak who were about to be trafficked to Singapore. The babies were transported safely to West Java and are now under protection.
“Tonight, our Directorate of General Crime has arrested 12 suspects connected to this human trafficking ring. We’ve also secured six infant victims,” said West Java Police Spokesperson Kombes Pol Hendra Rochmawan during a press briefing on Monday night, July 14.
Hendra noted that the suspects had distinct roles in the operation, ranging from initial recruitment and care of the infants to the production of falsified documents and handling international transport.
“In addition to the arrests, we’ve also seized evidence including identity papers, forged documents, passports, and other materials linked to the victims,” Hendra added.
The case is being expanded with the assistance of Interpol, as Indonesian authorities coordinate with counterparts in Singapore to trace the cross-border links of the trafficking network.
(Raidi/Agung)
