Kidney racket busted; victim rescued

Airport Police on Saturday arrested four people, who were allegedly involved in running an illegal human kidney transplant racket, during a raid at a rented residence situated in a private housing society, also rescuing a patient, who was found restrained on a stretcher.

Police sources said that the gang had been targeting vulnerable individuals by luring them with false promises of employment, only to later remove their kidneys for unlawful sale. A wider operation is now underway to trace and arrest other members and facilitators of the network.

A spokesperson for Rawalpindi Police said that the raid followed a call to the emergency helpline (15), during which a caller reported screams and cries emanating from a neighbouring house. Police responded immediately and, upon arrival, discovered a man tied to a stretcher, who was subsequently freed.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had been drugged into a semi-conscious state and subjected to a series of medical tests, believed to be preparatory steps for the illegal removal and sale of his kidney. The swift and timely intervention of the police prevented what could have been a life-threatening act of organ harvesting.

The suspects arrested at the scene were identified as Akif Aftab, Naseem Butt, Rakesh Masih, and Shawn Masih. Police also recovered surgical instruments and medical equipment used in the unlawful procedures.

During questioning, the suspects admitted to trafficking kidneys to both Pakistani and foreign clients. The rescued victim informed the authorities that he had been lured under the pretext of a job opportunity.

Police have affirmed that operations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the network. Ensuring the safety and protection of citizens' lives and property remains the foremost priority of the Rawalpindi Police, who have pledged to pursue all involved to the fullest extent of the law, the spokesman maintained.

In March 2023, Rawalpindi police had unearthed a gang allegedly involved in depriving people of their kidneys and transplanting them to foreigners. Police and the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA) conducted a surprise raid at a private hospital in Morgah, arresting 10 people, including three doctors, and recovering Rs20 million from them.