Thaindian News

Lucknow, Aug 22 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Police Saturday claimed to have busted a blood trading racket with the arrest of six men here.
The six were arrested from a hideout in the Thakhurganj locality, police said.

Several syringes and nearly 80 pouches containing blood were also recovered, police added.

Even though there was no official confirmation, police sources said that the six arrested men had confessed that on several occasions on the pretext of selling human blood, they had duped gullible customers by giving them pouches containing animal blood.

“We have sent the blood samples for testing. Let’s see what the reports suggest,” Additional Superintendent of Police Paresh Pandey said.

“According to the information given by the gang leader Deepak Pandey, there were 14 members involved in the illegal trade. While we managed to arrest the six, the remaining eight members managed to escape. Efforts are on to nab them,” he added.

Police have not ruled out the possibility of involvement of doctors and paramedical staff of hospitals and nursing homes in the illegal blood trade.

“We have already initiated an inquiry into the matter. Stern action will be taken against all those found involved in the racket,” said Pandey.

According to police, the men used to charge Rs.1,000-1,500 for one unit of blood.