Indonesian police uncover cross-border network trafficking babies to Singapore, with SPF assisting probe.
Indonesian authorities have linked three Singaporeans to a baby trafficking syndicate that smuggled infants from West Java to Singapore. Police on both sides are now working together to investigate.
Cross-Border Trafficking Network Exposed
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) announced on September 22 that they are working with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to investigate a trafficking ring involving babies smuggled to Singapore. The routes allegedly connected Bandung, Pontianak, and Jakarta with Singapore, highlighting the cross-border scale of the operation.
Singapore Police Join Investigation
Brigadier-General Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Jakarta, confirmed that SPF is collaborating through its International Relations Division. Singapore has agreed to question witnesses and help trace three Singaporean suspects believed to be involved. A set of questions prepared by Indonesian investigators has already been forwarded to SPF via Interpol.
Syndicate Sold Babies for S$20,000 Each
According to West Java police, the syndicate sold each baby for about 254 million rupiah (S$20,000). The amount covered includes delivery, baby care, and profits for traffickers. Authorities found 12 falsified English-language adoption documents, designed to give a false sense of legality to the transactions.
Scale of the Operation
Investigations revealed that 25 babies were gathered by the suspects, of which 15 were trafficked to Singapore under the guise of adoption. So far, 22 individuals have been named as suspects. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) confirmed that six babies remain in Indonesia under state protection, with one reportedly ill but all now safe.
Charges and Penalties
Those involved face human trafficking charges, carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of 600 million rupiah (S$46,400). Indonesian police are also reviewing population identity data to verify the identities and travel routes of couriers who allegedly transported babies across the border.
Regional and Humanitarian Impact
This case underscores the vulnerability of children in trafficking networks and the increasing role of cross-border cooperation in tackling organized crime. For Singapore and Indonesia, the scandal highlights the urgent need to tighten monitoring systems to prevent exploitation under the guise of adoption.
The joint investigation between Indonesia and Singapore marks a critical test of regional law enforcement cooperation. While authorities work to bring suspects to justice, the scandal raises broader questions about adoption safeguards, human trafficking prevention, and the responsibility of both countries in protecting vulnerable children.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Baby Trafficking Indonesia, Singapore Police Force, Indonesian National Police, West Java Case, Human Trafficking Network
