JAKARTA - The Directorate of Women and Children's Criminal and Human Trafficking (Dirtipid PPA-PPO) of the South Sulawesi Police revealed new facts in the case of alleged Human Trafficking (TPPO) with the adoption modus related to a mother with the initials ML (38) allegedly selling four children for money in Makassar.
"From the facts of the investigation, the investigators did not find four children being sold. However, only one had a transaction of sale, while the other was exchanged (to someone)," said Director of the South Sulawesi Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, Kombes Osva, quoting Antara.
So far, investigators have examined a number of witnesses, including tracing the chronology of events in this case on January 20, 2025. The results of the alleged perpetrator's deepening handed over his son with the initials CHY (10) to a woman with the initials NL under the pretext of being adopted.
The incident occurred on January 10, 2025, when ML handed over her son CHY from her first husband, the late RM, to be adopted by NL. ML was then given Rp4 million in cash.
A few days later, on January 19, 2025, NL returned her child and asked for the money to be returned, which had previously been adopted for a number of reasons.
Later, MT was unable to return the money and offered his baby again after two months of the initials AZ as a replacement for the previous child, but again asked for additional money.
"Because of economic factors, ML cannot return the money and offers his son AZ in exchange for CHY and then asks for money (additional) Rp. 1 million. And it was handed over in cash to ML," he said.
The total money received by ML was Rp5 million, previously Rp1 million plus Rp1 million after exchanging another child. The modus operandi carried out with the practice of illegal adoption is not in accordance with the law.
On this basis, the perpetrator's actions lead to the crime of trafficking in children or persons as stipulated in Article 455 of the Criminal Code. The perpetrators of ML and NL who will adopt are still being processed.
"In this case, the two are suspected of engaging in child trafficking. In accordance with Article 455 of the Criminal Code, both will be processed in accordance with applicable laws," he said.
Previously, the Deputy Director of the Directorate of PPA and PPO of the South Sulawesi Police, Kompol Zaki Sungkar, through his team, said that they had arrested ML in Makassar after receiving a report from the complainant's husband on behalf of ML on behalf of Anto in early March 2026.
"We have secured the report, which is the initials of the woman with the initials MT. Our members from the Subdit PPA Polda Sulsel immediately moved to take statements and check everything. The report we have secured is still in the Makassar City area," he said.
The reporter Anto previously reported his wife ML to the Sulsel Regional Police because her children were missing and allegedly sold by the person concerned. He has five children. From his marriage there are three biological children, one of whom is still an infant and two stepchildren from the former deceased husband.
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