MELAKA - The state police managed to bust a syndicate selling babies and children masterminded by a housewife called Nana with the arrest of 16 individuals since November 30.
A total of 14 suspects arrested were members of a syndicate aged between 25 and 58, while the other two were a married couple believed to be involved in the purchase of a baby boy.
In Ops Pintas Nana, the police also rescued two three-month-old baby boys, a four-month-old baby girl and a five-year-old girl born to young women.
Melaka Police Chief, Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd. Ali said a series of raids had been carried out by the state contingent team after receiving a report on the incident from a couple on November 30.
He said the main mastermind, a 33-year-old housewife nicknamed Nana, was detected and arrested at a home stay around Melaka Tengah which was used as a location to take care of pregnant women and the 'delivery room' on 16 December. “
At the end of last month, a couple lodged a police report on the adoption of a child with a payment of RM12,000, but were not given any birth documents.
"As a result of our intelligence, we managed to track down this baby -selling syndicate and arrested 14 members, including the mastermind, a 33-year-old housewife nicknamed Nana," he said at a press conference at the Melaka Tengah District Police Headquarters (IPD), here, today.
He added that the members of the syndicate had used Instagram to get 'customers' and young women who were pregnant out of wedlock to carry out their activities.
“They made an agreement with these young women to provide basic necessities until the baby is born, including a midwife to take care of it.
"This group is hiding by making home stays around the district as 'hospitals' to take care of the pregnant mother for a period of a month before giving birth," he said.
Abdul Majid said the gang had been active since March last year and targeted couples around Melaka and Negeri Sembilan for adoption at a price of around RM11,000 to RM12,000.
He explained that the parents who agreed will make the payment in stages, while the payment to the pregnant mother is not included and depends on the kindness of the adoptive mother.
"We are still tracking down three more babies who are believed to have been handed over to adoptive families and a 27 -year -old local midwife.
"This case is being investigated under Section 14 of the Anti -Trafficking in Persons and Anti -Smuggling of Migrants Act (2007) (ATIPSOM) and convicted can be jailed for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 20 years and a fine," he said.
