JAKARTA, Jul 17 (NNN-ANTARA) – Police in Indonesia’s West Java province, uncovered a baby trafficking ring, accused of selling 24 infants from various regions in Indonesia, to buyers in neighbouring Singapore.
As of today, 13 Indonesian nationals, suspected of involvement in the ring have been arrested, in separate operations conducted in Pontianak, West Kalimantan province, and Tangerang, Banten province. Twelve of the suspects were apprehended on Monday, with the thirteenth arrested on Tuesday evening, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten.
West Java Police spokesperson, Hendra Rochmawan, said yesterday that, the investigation is ongoing, with authorities pursuing additional suspects, including potential actors based in Singapore.
Rochmawan also said that, the police will coordinate with Interpol to locate the 24 trafficked infants believed to be in Singapore.
During the operations, police successfully rescued six infants, five of whom were about to be trafficked to Singapore, and one to Tangerang.
Authorities revealed that, the case came to light, after a parent reported a suspected kidnapping, which led police to a suspect, who confessed to trafficking 24 babies. Most of the infants were reportedly taken from their biological parents in West Java. They were to be sold for adoption in Singapore.– NNN-ANTARA
