JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: The single mother who gave her newborn son to a baby-for-sale syndicate operating under the guise of an "adoption" agency is actively helping police bring to book those involved in the scam.

Liza, a 34-year-old security guard, participated in an identification parade comprising suspects detained by the police in connection with the syndicate that was busted on May 22.

A man in his 40s, who allegedly arranged for the "adoption", was picked up from his house in Tampoi here on Thursday.

The man, whom the mother of five met at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital through a religious teacher, has been placed under remand to help in investigations.

A 65-year-old doctor, his Singaporean wife and four members of his staff have also been detained.

Police are attempting to verify if the people who took her baby are those behind the syndicate.

Detectives from the special task force set up to probe the syndicate codenamed Ops Kasih, also took the woman to the medical centre at Menara Landmark here that was raided on May 22.

The detectives needed to establish if the centre was where she and the man went in Sept 23, 2005, to surrender her son.

Liza, who related her story to the New Straits Times on Friday, said her 17-year-old son was with the father while another son was under the care of the State Welfare Department.

A daughter was legally adopted by an aunt. Liza said she gave away her children as she could not care for them due to a weak heart, kidney ailments and asthma. She had given birth to the baby in 2005.

Meanwhile, state police chief Datuk Mohktar Shariff said police arrested two men yesterday believed to have ties to the syndicate.

"We have eight people in custody." He also urged those with information to call the police hotline at 07-2212999.