The Central East Regional Police Command has apprehended six suspects linked to a child trafficking syndicate following the disappearance of a seven-year-old girl in Kasoa, Central Region.

A 10-month-old infant was also rescued during the operation. According to a statement by DSP Victor Kofi Dosoo, the suspects are Grace Osei Afriyie, 71; Regina Agyeiwaa, 57; Janet Larbie, 40; Mary Dotsey, 38; Yvonne Twumasi, 32; and Seikena Umar, 32.

The investigation began on April 10 when the Kasoa Divisional DOVVSU received a report that Kadija Karim, 7, went missing while playing.

She was found the next day and reported that Janet Larbie and Seikena Umar had lured her away under the pretext of visiting her mother. The child was held at an unknown location before being returned to Kasoa via taxi with instructions to remain silent.

Subsequent police work led to the arrests of Larbie, Dotsey, Twumasi, and Umar. Authorities are still searching for Lucinda Naomi Otchere, the alleged syndicate leader, and two other accomplices known as Adjeiwaa and Hawa.

The investigation further revealed a second case where a mother was deceived into handing over her two children, aged 10 months and five years.

The infant was allegedly sold to Grace Osei Afriyie and Regina Agyeiwaa in the Ashanti Region for GH¢35,000. On April 28, police arrested Afriyie and Agyeiwaa and rescued the infant, who has since been reunited with her parents.

Janet Larbie, Mary Dotsey, Yvonne Twumasi, and Seikena Umar have been remanded by the Ofaakor Circuit Court. Regina Agyeiwaa is also on remand via the Akweley Magistrate Court, while Grace Osei Afriyie was granted bail.

The Regional Command continues to track the remaining accomplices and has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting all involved parties.