(ENCS) -- Police have rescued 15 children, including some infants, and detained 78 suspects in a human trafficking ring bust in China, reported the West China City News.
Hama Erji, from Xide County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, is thought to be the ringleader. He and his associates sold children from the prefecture to East China's Shandong Province, according to police.
Police in Liangshan began their investigation into the ring last year. The Ministry of Public Security oversaw the case due to its serious nature and the number of suspects and victims involved.
Of the suspects, 12 have been detained in Liangshan and 66 in Shandong. Some 36 suspects detained in Shandong have been sent back to Liangshan to await trial.
A total of 15 children have been rescued as a result of the joint action between Sichuan and Shandong police. The children are all under proper care, police said.
They added that the case was "complicated" and would not disclose any further details.
DNA testing has been organized to identify the children. Further investigations are ongoing.
