Indonesian police have uncovered a transnational baby trafficking ring, arresting 12 suspects accused of smuggling more than a dozen infants to Singapore. Authorities say the syndicate has been operating since 2023, targeting vulnerable mothers in exchange for cash.

The case came to light after a parent reported a suspected kidnapping, prompting an investigation that led to a suspect who confessed to trafficking at least 24 babies.

According to West Java police criminal investigations chief Surawan, 14 of the infants were sent to Singapore through Pontianak, a city on Borneo Island.

The babies involved were all under the age of one, with some as young as three months old. So far, police have rescued five babies in Pontianak and one in Tangerang, near Jakarta.

“The group is an organized baby trafficking syndicate. Each member had a specific role from scouting for babies, to providing shelter, to handling forged documentation like passports and family cards,” Surawan said.

The suspects were arrested across multiple cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, and Pontianak. Investigators believe the ring preyed on mothers who were unable or unwilling to care for their babies, luring them with financial incentives.

In a twist, the parent who tipped off police was reportedly part of an agreement with the traffickers but went to authorities after not receiving payment.

Human trafficking remains a serious issue in Indonesia, which has seen similar abuses in the past. In one of the most disturbing recent cases, at least 57 individuals were found locked up on a palm oil plantation in North Sumatra in 2022.

Authorities say investigations into the syndicate are ongoing, as they work to identify more victims and possible international links.