Pakistan breaks up gang that stole kidneys from more than 300 people

Kidney theft continues in Pakistan

Pakistani police said the ringleader of the kidney-stealing ring, Fawad Mukhtar, had been arrested five times before for similar crimes. However, he managed to get bail and continued his illegal activities.

This time, Mukhtar faces charges of taking kidneys from more than 300 people and selling them to wealthy clients.

BBC quoted information from authorities saying that at least three people died on the operating table during the process of having their kidneys removed.

The gang is believed to operate across the eastern Punjab province as well as Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the "illegal" surgeries were held in private homes and often carried out without the knowledge of the person whose kidney was being removed.

According to police, an auto mechanic was hired as a surgical assistant for Mukhtar, who was the main surgeon. The mechanic also took on the role of approaching patients and luring them away from hospitals and into their homes for treatment.

Each illegally harvested kidney was sold for a maximum of 10 million rupees (nearly 3 billion VND).

Premier Naqvi warned that such illegal kidney harvesting and transplants still occur.

Since 2010, Pakistan has implemented a ban on the sale of human organs, and offenders can face up to a decade in prison, as well as heavy fines.

However, illegal organ trafficking continues in the South Asian country, amid low incomes and lax law enforcement.

In January, police in Punjab province also dismantled another organ trafficking ring after a 14-year-old boy was found in an underground bunker after being forced to have his kidney removed.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/pakistan-pha-nhom-cuop-than-cua-hon-300-nguoi-185231005101408068.htm