Organ trafficking in Cambodia: 9 arrested

Nine hospital workers in Cambodia have been arrested over an organ-trafficking ring involving human kidneys.

Nine hospital workers in Cambodia have been arrested on suspicion of running an organ-trafficking ring.

The director and deputy director of the military Preah Ket Mealea Hospital in Phnom Penh were arrested, along with a Chinese doctor and several people described as Chinese-Vietnamese nationals, according to The Phnom Penh Post.

They have been accused of committing and assisting "human trafficking with intent", according to The Post.

Three-to-five people had their kidneys removed at the hospital last year, The Post said.

Each kidney is believed to have been sold for about $US40,000 ($A43,278) to Chinese buyers, with the donors receiving $US5,000 each.

"The hospital director was questioned along with the others," police chief Chuon Sovan told The Post on Monday.

Last month police last week arrested a Cambodian woman who had allegedly acted as a middleman between poor Cambodian organ donors and wealthy Cambodian patients in Thai hospitals.

Trafficking human organs is punishable by seven to 15 years in prison in Cambodia.


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