Kerala Police Nab Mastermind Behind International Organ Trafficking Racket
Kerala police arrested Ballamkonda Ram Prasad, the alleged mastermind of an international organ trafficking network. Prasad, who was hiding in Hyderabad, coordinated kidney transplants to Iran. Victims were mainly from rural areas. Police detained several accomplices and launched a detailed investigation into the illegal operation.
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In a significant breakthrough, Kerala police announced on Saturday the arrest of Ballamkonda Ram Prasad, the alleged mastermind behind an international organ trafficking network.
Ernakulam Rural SP Vaibhav Saxena revealed that 41-year-old Prasad, also known as Pratapan, was apprehended while hiding in a hotel in Hyderabad.
A special investigation team from Kerala tracked and nabbed Pratapan, who is originally from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, based on incriminating evidence suggesting his involvement in coordinating kidney transplants to Iran from India.
Preliminary reports indicate that many victims were residents of rural areas whose organs were allegedly harvested in Iran. In a disturbing twist, Pratapan had initially attempted to donate his kidney but was rejected due to health issues. He subsequently became a key figure in the trafficking network, leveraging social media to connect with organ recipients.
Authorities discovered that Pratapan was responsible for sending donors to Iran, where they were met by an accomplice, Sabith Nasar, currently in police custody.
After the surgeries, the donors would be sent back to India, orchestrated by Nasar, the police statement revealed.
In addition to Pratapan and Nasar, the police have apprehended Sajith Shyam, who is believed to manage the gang's finances.
Nasar was previously detained at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) two weeks ago based on intelligence from central agencies.
All suspects are facing charges under the IPC and the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. A comprehensive investigation has been initiated by a dedicated team led by the Ernakulam Rural SP.
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