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Jakarta Post

Baby trafficking syndicate busted in Medan

Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post)
Medan
Tue, December 6, 2016

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Baby trafficking syndicate busted in Medan Two suspects (left and second left) are escorted at Belawan Police precinct in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday. The suspects reportedly admitted to having sold five babies to buyers in Jakarta. (JP/Apriadi Gunawan)

Police have busted a baby trafficking syndicate in Medan, North Sumatra, arresting two suspects and securing four infants.

Belawan Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tri Setiadi Artono said the suspects, identified as Ayen, 35, and Lina, were arrested separately in their houses in Medan early on Tuesday morning.

“The suspects had earlier sold five babies to buyers in Jakarta with prices ranging from Rp 5 million to Rp 15 million,” Tri said.

He said that Ayen acted as a seller while Lina was the go-between in the transactions.

(Read also: Number of child trafficking victims increases to 148: Police)

Tri revealed that the suspects committed the crime by approaching poor parents who could not afford to pay medical bills for the delivery of the babies.

“The suspects then financed the delivery and took the babies from their parents,” he added.

He said the suspects would be charged under article 83 of Law No. 35/2014 on child protection, which carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison. (jun)

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