American Expatriate Costa Rica

14 victims identified in case of organ trafficking at Calderon Guardia Hospital

Last October arrest of two doctors and the owner of the pizzeria. CRH file.

Prosecutors have identified a total of 14 victims in the case of organ trafficking at Calderon Guardia Hospital. In June of 2013, investigators arrested the head of Nephrology at Calderon Guardia and a police officer on charges of recruiting victims. In October of 2013, investigators arrested two additional doctors and an owner of a pizzeria who is also accused of finding victims. Initially, only 3 victims had been identified.

Low-income people were paid between ¢3 and ¢10 million in exchange for removal of a kidney. A news report in Mexico said that an Israeli couple paid $6,000 to receive two kidneys in Costa Rica. Investigators believe that the transplants were performed at Clinica Biblica Hospital and La Católica Hotel.