Bangladeshi National Arrested In Kolkata Over Cross-Border Kidney Smuggling Racket

Kolkata police have apprehended a Bangladeshi national, identified as Russel Ahmed, in connection with a cross-border kidney smuggling racket, according to West Bengal Police officials. The arrest took place on Saturday night in the Baguihati area, located in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Following Ahmed's arrest, he was transferred to the Bidhannagar (South) Police Station under the Bidhannagar City Police in North 24 Parganas district. Ahmed is set to appear at a district court in North 24 Parganas later in the day.

Ahmed has a history of involvement in the kidney smuggling racket. In 2024, he was previously arrested by the Delhi Police for the same activities. During his arrest, Delhi Police discovered that Ahmed had entered India illegally and had obtained Indian identity documents, such as an Aadhaar card and a PAN card. It was also revealed that he had been residing in West Bengal on rent for an extended period while participating in the kidney smuggling racket.

Recently, the Special Task Force (STF) arrested another individual, Prabhas Mondal, who was also implicated in the kidney smuggling racket. Mondal's name was mentioned during the interrogation of Ahmed, revealing Ahmed's crucial role in running the cross-border kidney smuggling operation. Mondal was apprehended on August 18 based on a complaint filed by the father of a victim youth, whose kidney was operated on at a comparatively low cost.

The racket primarily targeted financially disadvantaged youth, promising them jobs in other states. Upon reaching these locations, the youth were subjected to kidney operations, and they were paid a nominal amount for their services. Ahmed was found to be in possession of a rate chart and documents from private hospitals in various states, detailing the kidney requirements for those hospitals.