T

he Jakarta Police estimates that a human trafficking syndicate has sold more than 200 babies in the capital to buyers nationwide as well as in neighboring Singapore since 1992.

Spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told reporters on Wednesday that the police had found flight manifests and return tickets to Singapore during the arrest of seven syndicate members on Tuesday, indicating that the suspects might have recently sold the latest victim.

“We are still deepening our investigation into the suspects. We will coordinate with Interpol to arrest the buyers as well as other potential suspects residing in Singapore,” Rikwanto said.

National and local media outlets on Tuesday reported that police in West Jakarta arrested seven people for allegedly selling babies. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the network had been selling babies for more than 20 years.

Police said that the suspects offered pregnant and or underprivileged women giving birth “fees” that varied from Rp 20 million (US$2,066) to Rp 40 million, and promised that their babies would be cared for by wealthy people.

However, the suspects apparently sold the babies without acknowledgement from the families for a price ranging from Rp 20 million to Rp 60 million, depending on the condition of the infant.

The “package” was also complemented with a fake birth certificate, family certificate, birth recognition from a hospital and even a passport.

Meanwhile, as child protection activists recently slammed online shopping portal tokobagus.com for uploading an ad of baby for sale, Rikwanto said that police were still investigating the possible relationship between the ad’s uploader, who remains unknown, and these suspects.

The police questioned the portal’s management over the publication of the ad, which depicted two 18-month-old babies for sale for Rp 10 million each. (fzm)