The Economic and Organized Crime Office, EOCO in collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council, has arrested some medical practitioners, social welfare officers and other individuals who are suspected to have engaged in the illegal act of “baby harvesting and human trafficking”.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, Executive Director of EOCO, COP Frank Adu-Poku said upon a tip-off, the joint team carried out investigations into these illegal activities between the period of June to November last year and made the first arrest on December 31, 2020.
COP Adu-Poku said the team currently have two baby boys in their possession as a result of their operation. He said so far the suspects are on bail pending investigations.
“Both babies sold and bought are currently in safe custody and being properly taken care of for further investigations” he said.
“The operation was based on a hint from a taxi driver, who suspected that the two women who had hired his services might have bought a baby from a health facility as a result of their conservation while they were in his vehicle” COP Frank Adu Poku added.
“Mothers who had become vulnerable because the men who impregnated them had refused to take responsibility were encouraged by the suspects to give out their babies for sale.” he noted.
He assured the public that EOCO and the Medical and Dental Council will continue to collaborate to protect public health and safety by preventing and detecting organized crime.
BY: HANNAH DADZIE
