Three members of organ trafficking ring busted in city

Three members of an organ trafficking gang have been arrested in the capital, police said.

"The gang allegedly targeted poor families and took them to India with the lure of jobs and later forced them to sell their kidneys by taking them hostage," DMP's Additional Commissioner (Crime and Ops) KH Mahid Uddin said at a press conference at DMP's media centre today.

One of the victims, Robin, recently filed a case with Dhanmondi police station. Then, police busted the gang that allegedly removed kidneys from at least 10 people taking them to India.

The arrestees are Md Raju Howladar, Shahed Uddin, and Md Atahar Hossain Bappi.  However, 10/12 others including gang members Md Masum, Shaheen, and Sagar Mostafa are still absconding.

The additional commissioner said in April last year, at a tea stall adjacent to a market in Mirpur-10, Robin was talking to a friend about his insolvency. Masum, sitting next to him, told Robin that he had a business in India and could give him a job there.

"After regular contacts, Robin, at one point, agreed to go to India," he added.

"He was taken to Dhaka's LabAid Hospital in September last year for a health check-up. At the hospital, Robin met Md Raju Howladar. Later, they arranged an Indian visa for Robin."

In New Delhi, Shaheen and Sagar received Robin. They grabbed his passport and detained him in the Faridabad area, the police officer added.

The additional commissioner also said, "Later on 4 March, one of his kidneys was surgically removed at a hospital in Gujarat."

He further added the kidney was later sold to the brokers for around Tk50 lakh. According to the contract, Tk6 lakh were to be paid, but Robin got Tk3 lakh.

Efforts are underway to arrest the rest of the accused, said Mahid Uddin.

The arrested have been sent to court, he added.