Indonesian police seeking Singapore’s help for probe into alleged baby trafficking ring

SINGAPORE – The police said they have received a request from the Indonesian authorities to verify information on three Singaporeans allegedly linked to a baby trafficking ring in Indonesia.

In response to The Straits Times’ queries, the police said on Sept 25 that the request came from the Indonesian National Police, and that they are providing the necessary assistance within the ambit of Singapore’s laws.

This comes after Indonesian news outlets reported in September that Indonesia’s police are working with their Singapore counterparts to probe the alleged baby trafficking ring operating out of West Java.

The activities have allegedly been traced to Indonesia’s Bandung, Pontianak and Jakarta, and Singapore.

In the reports, Brigadier-General Untung Widyatmoko, the secretary of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Indonesia, was quoted as saying that the Singapore police are prepared to assist in tracing three Singaporeans who are suspected of being involved.

The police on Sept 25 said they are aware of the recent media reports.

In a statement on the Indonesian National Police website on Sept 22, Brig-Gen Untung said that the flow of the baby trafficking operations is being traced to countries abroad.

“Under the arrangement, the Singapore police will question witnesses, with queries prepared by West Java investigators and channelled through Jakarta’s Interpol office,” he added.

The West Java police in July identified 22 suspects accused of trafficking at least 25 babies, with 15 allegedly sent to Singapore under the guise of adoption, the statement said.

It added that investigations by the West Java police had found that each infant was sold for about $20,000 – an amount that covered delivery costs, infant care and profit.