Bali Police Probe Baby Trafficking Ring, 15 Questioned

Bali Police have questioned 15 individuals in connection to a baby trafficking case first uncovered in Depok. The group includes 11 pregnant women and four staff members of the Anak Bali Luih Foundation, where the illegal activities allegedly took place.

Bali Police Public Relations Chief, Comsr. Jansen Avitus Panjaitan, confirmed the investigation during a press conference on Friday, September 20. He revealed that the case surfaced when police in Depok foiled an attempt to traffic two newborns in July 2024, leading to the identification of eight suspects, including foundation owner I Made Aryadana.

The investigation revealed five babies had been trafficked, with three sent to Bali, while two were intercepted by Depok police. The suspects face charges under Indonesia’s human trafficking and child protection laws, which carry a maximum 15-year prison sentence and fines up to Rp600 million.

The foundation’s operations involved pregnant women who were offered substantial sums in exchange for allowing their babies to be adopted. The police are now investigating the legitimacy of the adoption process, which bypassed official government channels and lacked court approvals.