Pakistan police bust organ trafficking ring --transplants were carried out in private homes

 Outlawing compensation for donors doesn't end black markets for kidneys from living donors, but may succeed in driving them out of hospitals, and making them increasingly dangerous and black.

The BBC has the story:

Pakistan police bust organ trafficking ring that took kidneys from hundreds By Rachel Russell

"Eight members of an organ trafficking ring in north-east Pakistan have been arrested, police say.

"The ring's alleged leader, Fawad Mukhtar, is accused of extracting the kidneys of more than 300 people and transplanting them into rich clients.

...

"At least three people died from having their organs harvested in this way, authorities said.

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"The transplants were carried out in private homes - often without the patient knowing, the chief minister of Punjab province Mohsin Naqvi said.

"A car mechanic is said to have worked as Mr Mukhtar's surgical assistant and helped lure vulnerable patients from hospitals.

"The kidneys were then sold for up to 10 million rupees (£99,000; $120,000) each, Mr Naqvi added.

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"The commercial trade of human organs was made illegal in Pakistan in 2010.

"The punishment for those caught includes a decade-long jail term and huge fines in the hope that this will stop sales to overseas clients by exploitative doctors, middlemen, recipients and donors.

"However, there has been a rise in organ trafficking in the country as people struggle with low wages and a poor enforcement of the law."

HT: Jlateh Vincent Jappah