KemenPPPA Appreciates Polri for Dismantling Baby-Trafficking Syndicate: Serious Crime

The Criminal Investigation Directorate’s Women and Child Protection Division and Human Trafficking Unit at Polri’s Bareskrim has dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating through baby sales. The Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) has emphasised that child abduction cases constitute serious crime.

“The KemenPPPA states that the crime of abduction with indicators of human trafficking constitutes serious criminal activity and has become a matter of national concern. Of course, we at KemenPPPA appreciate the hard work of Bareskrim Polri in uncovering cases related to child abduction with indicators of human trafficking,” said Acting Assistant Deputy for Child Protection Services Requiring Special Protection, Atwirlany Ritonga, on Friday (27 February 2026).

KemenPPPA data records 91 cases of child abduction with human trafficking indicators between 2022 and 2025. During this period, 180 children have become victims.

“This is certainly a danger alarm for us all to anticipate how such cases do not occur in the future,” she said.

Atwirlany stated that her ministry, working alongside the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), will collaborate in caring for children who have become victims in this baby-trading syndicate. She assured that the needs and recovery of victims will be guaranteed during temporary shelter care provided by KemenPPA and Kemensos.

KemenPPA has also urged the public not to be easily deceived by social media posts regarding child adoption services. Members of the public aware of suspected child abduction or trafficking can contact the reporting service established by KemenPPA on the hotline 129 or WhatsApp at 08-111-129-129.

“We appreciate the hard work of Bareskrim Polri through the Director of Women and Child Protection Crime Division and Human Trafficking Unit at Bareskrim Polri and the Special Crime Division at Bareskrim Polri for their efforts in eradicating this case,” said Atwirlany.

In the earlier operation, the Criminal Investigation Directorate’s Women and Child Protection Division and Human Trafficking Unit at Bareskrim Polri uncovered a human trafficking case (TPPO) operating through baby sales. Twelve suspects were arrested in this operation.

Deputy Chief of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifudin, stated that the dismantling of this syndicate was an extension of a previous case involving the abduction of four-year-old Bilqis in Makassar some time ago.

“The uncovering of this case is the result of development from the previous abduction case in Makassar. If we still remember, that was the case of baby Bilqis,” said Nunung at a press conference at Bareskrim Polri, South Jakarta, Wednesday (25 February).

The 12 suspects are divided into two clusters. The first cluster, consisting of 8 suspects, acted as intermediaries, whilst the second cluster, comprising 4 suspects, represents the parental cluster.