Over 1,000 held for baby trafficking in China

In a major crackdown on child traffickers, Chinese police smashed four online baby trafficking groups and saved 382 babies earlier this month, the Ministry of Public Security has said.

A total of 1,094 suspects were held across the country in a joint maneuver on February 19, the ministry said. These groups are accused of trading babies by establishing illegal online platforms and shops under the name of adoption or re-homing centers.

Criminals have turned to the Internet for illegal human trafficking in recent years, which brings difficulties for investigation. Child trafficking has a emerged as major problem in recent years with organised gangs stealing children and selling to childless couples or initiate them into begging and various other crimes.