Indonesia, Singapore Investigate Cross-border Baby Trafficking Ring

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s police are working with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to probe a cross-border baby trafficking ring uncovered in West Java, officials said.

The joint investigation, coordinated through Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Jakarta, was launched after authorities discovered a smuggling route linking Bandung, Pontianak and Jakarta to Singapore.

In a statement, Bureau Secretary Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko said they are tracing the trafficking flow abroad. 

“Under the arrangement, the SPF will question witnesses, with queries prepared by West Java investigators and channelled through Jakarta’s Interpol office.

“SPF has also agreed to assist in locating three Singaporean nationals suspected of involvement,” Untung said, adding that investigators had been advised to review national identity data of couriers believed to have escorted babies to Singapore.

In July, West Java police named 22 suspects, accusing them of trafficking at least 25 babies – 15 of whom had already been sent to Singapore under the guise of adoption.

West Java Police Criminal Investigation Director, Commissioner Surawan, said each infant was sold for about S$20,000 (around 254 million rupiah), covering delivery costs, infant care and profits. 

“The figure was based on 12 notarised adoption certificates seized from the home of a suspect. The English-language documents were allegedly used to give a false appearance of legality,” he said.

The suspects face charges under Indonesia’s 2007 anti-human trafficking law, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 600 million rupiah (about US$36,000).

-- BERNAMA