Malaysian police rescue five children from baby-selling syndicate

Mon, 14 Dec 2009

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police have rescued five babies and detained 15 people believed to be part of a baby-selling syndicate headed by a doctor, a news report said Monday. Police revealed Monday that the arrests, which also included two childless couples who were allegedly customers of the syndicate, were made earlier this month following investigations and public tip-offs.

The syndicate was believed to have recruited women from the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia to bear and then sell their offspring back to the syndicate for 5,000 ringgit (1,430 dollars), federal criminal investigations chief Bakri Zinin was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.

The syndicate would then sell the babies for at least 15,000 ringgit to its customers, he said.

Police have launched a manhunt for a doctor, believed to be the ring leader. The suspect was believed to have delivered all the babies at a hospital he runs in order to avoid detection.

The rescued babies, including two girls and three boys aged between two weeks and nine months, have been sent to a hospital where they were reported to be in good health.

"The doctor had gone into hiding soon after two couples who wanted to purchase the babies were arrested last Friday. The couples included a university lecturer and a company manager," Bakri said.

Bakri said police are continuing investigations to try and locate more babies as well as syndicate members.