'Gang leader' confesses kidney trade
Tareque Azam, a key figure of the ring involved in kidney trade, yesterday confessed to working as the coordinator among gangs active in the capital and in Joypurhat.
He got involved in the illicit business in 2006 and so far arranged transplants for 30 to 32 persons, he said. For each kidney, his gang received around three to five lakh taka but each victim was paid only Tk 20,000 to 40,000.
Detective Branch of Police arrested Tareque, son of MA Azam Chowdhury of South Hossainpur of Begumganj in Noakhali, at Fakirapool in the capital on Thursday around 5:30pm.
Tareque made the confession as he was produced before reporters at DB office in the capital. Following the press briefing, he was handed over to Officer-in-Charge F Karim of Kalai upazila police in Joypurhat.
His gang used to collect kidneys from the poor in three unions of Kalai.
The transplants were conducted in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka, United Hospital Limited, Birdem Hospital and Kidney Foundations in the capital and “in case of rich patients” in Singapore, Madras and Vellore, OC Karim quoted him as saying.
In 2006, Tareque gave an advertisement seeking a kidney for his cousin. Many responded to the ad and requested him to arrange them kidney receivers in exchange for money.
Tareque, who hailed from Khulna and could not do well in his Jhut (garment wastage) business, then decided to be involved with the illegal trade.
OC Karim said they already have the names and addresses of 38 persons who sold their kidneys.
According to police, about 42 people of the upazila sold their kidneys to the well-off at home and abroad.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Moniruzzaman of DB said they so far traced three gangs linked to kidney business. He did not disclose further details.
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