3 S'poreans allegedly involved in baby trafficking from Indonesia: Indonesian National Police

Singapore and Indonesian authorities are working together to investigate an alleged case of baby trafficking involving three Singaporean suspects.

According to a news release by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) on Sep. 22, the collaboration is a follow-up to the uncovering of an alleged baby smuggling route between West Java, Indonesia and Singapore.

Singapore police ready to assist in locating suspects: Polri

In Polri's statement, it said that the authorities have found that the baby trafficking has crossed the Indonesian borders.

The baby smuggling routes allegedly link Bandung, Pontianak, and Jakarta to Singapore.

According to Polri, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has agreed to assist in checks with relevant witnesses.

A list of questions prepared by the Indonesian investigators will be forwarded through the National Central Bureau (NCB) Jakarta before being sent to NCB Singapore.

"In addition, the SPF is also ready to assist in locating three Singaporean nationals suspected of being involved," the statement added.

Polri has also advised investigators to trace the Population Identification Numbers of porters suspected of escorting babies to Singapore to verify their identities and travel routes.

22 suspects previously named, each baby sold for around S$20,000

Previously, the West Java Regional Police (Polda Jabar) had named 22 suspects in connection with the baby trafficking network.

The Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Jabar, Police Commissioner Surawan, revealed that each baby was sold for around 254 million Rupiah (S$20,000).

The amount covered includes delivery costs, baby care, and profits for those involved.

Surawan said that authorities obtained the figures from 12 adoption documents seized.

He added that the English-language documents were used as a false form of legality to facilitate adoption transactions.

Investigations revealed that 25 babies were gathered, 15 of whom had already been transferred to Singapore under the guise of adoption.

According to Indonesia news outlet Detik News, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) said that only six babies have been secured and remain in Indonesia.

"Among the six, one is sick while the others are healthy, and all of them are now under the care of a Child Social Welfare Institution (LKSA) in West Java, supervised by the West Java Social Affairs Office. So I can assure you that these children are safe under the protection of the state," said KPAI Chairperson Ai Maryati on Jul. 18.

The alleged traffickers have been charged, and may face up to 15 years' jail and a fine of 600 million rupiahs (S$46,329).

Top photo via Canva