Indonesia Police Bust Baby-Trafficking Ring. Indonesian police have dismantled a baby-trafficking ring operating in Depok, West Java, that used Facebook to purchase and sell newborns.
Indonesia Police Bust Baby-Trafficking Ring
The syndicate, described by police as “well-organized,” bought babies from parents for as little as £800 and sold them to foreigners in Bali for four times the price.
Police said eight suspects have been arrested, including two sets of parents, two intermediaries, and a broker who arranged transactions. The babies were advertised on Facebook, with prices ranging between 10 million to 15 million rupiah (£493 to £740). The traffickers then transported the infants to Bali, where they were sold for up to 45 million rupiah (£2,220).
The ring was uncovered after authorities acted on a public tip-off. Depok police chief Arya Perdana stated that they were able to rescue two infants, a boy and a girl, who were intended for sale. The syndicate had already completed five such sales.
Perdana explained that the traffickers made pre-arrangements with expectant parents and immediately transported the newborns after birth. According to the UN, Southeast Asia is a major hub for human trafficking, with an estimated 56% of global trafficking victims in the Asia-Pacific region.
