Sindikat Penjualan Bayi Di Depok, Polisi: Cari Ibu Hamil Lalu Jual Via Medsos

Illustration of criminals arrested (VOI)

Depok Metro Police revealed new facts related to the case of inter-island baby trafficking. In addition to looking for pregnant women who intend to sell their babies through Facebook social media, the suspect I Made Aryadana, who acts as a baby collector for sale between islands, also manages a pregnant women's foundation in Tabanan, Bali.

Suspect Made targets parents of babies who are economically unable and babies born out of bed. Victims are given facilities in the form of housing, childbirth costs, and baby care.

Depok Metro Police Chief Kombes Pol Arya Perdana revealed, after obtaining the facility, parents must agree to sell their babies to parties who wish to adopt illegally.

"He used the foundation's cover to accommodate pregnant women who didn't have the money. It took advantage of people who were weak, helpless. So, after giving birth, they were given food, shelter, delivery costs, but the baby was sold to people who wanted to adopt it," said Arya, Thursday, September 5.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has also collaborated with the Bali Police. When visiting the foundation belonging to the suspect Made, it was found that eight pregnant women were being treated and ready to sell their babies illegally.

KPAI chairman Ai Maryati said that the case of infant trafficking through social media was only a small part of the bigger problem, because this trade network could involve foreign parties.

"This police disclosure is like an iceberg phenomenon. Currently, there are eight pregnant women at the TKP in Bali, which shows how big the threat of human trafficking is," said Maryati on Thursday (5/9/2024).

This case was first revealed thanks to reports from residents who were suspicious of the baby being accommodated in a rented house in Krukut, Limo, Depok City. When raided, the police found two babies and arrested two women who acted as intermediaries.