3 arrested in illegal kidney transplant ring

updated 3:25 p.m. ET June 25, 2008

ATHENS, Greece - Police in Athens say they have arrested three Greek women on suspicion of involvement in an illegal kidney transplant ring based in India.

The suspects, who include a doctor, allegedly talked Greek patients into having kidney transplants in India, using organs from live donors.

Police say all three belonged to a ring allegedly headed by Indian doctor Amit Kumar that sold kidneys to mostly foreign clients — sometimes from unwilling laborers held at gunpoint.

The gang carried out transplants for at least 46 Greeks over the past ten years, and at least 10 died from post-operation infections, police said Wednesday.

Patients paid the gang more than $70,000 each, police say. The suspects were arrested Tuesday.

MORE FROM MORE HEALTH NEWS

More Health News Section Front

HIV, cancer researchers win Nobel Mail carriers to bring drugs in anthrax attack Study: Gender, race also smog factors Alternative energy source found — for the brain Car crash risk rises on election days, study says 1 in 4 chance McCain may not survive 2nd term Scientists identify narcolepsy gene VA quadruples payments to brain injured vets 3 more blind patients helped by gene therapy Old meds? Many get conflicting disposal advice More Health News Section Front   Add More Health News headlines to your news reader: