Saudi national in human organ trafficking nabbed

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Bureau of Immigration (BI) facade with seal superimposed. STORY: Saudi national in human organ trafficking nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — A Saudi Arabian national allegedly involved in a human organ trafficking scheme and wanted by the Saudi government for 14 years was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) this week.

Badreldin Elzaki Ibrahim El Habbib, 44, was arrested in Makati City on Tuesday morning by agents of the Immigration Intelligence Division after appearing in a court hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court for charges of carnapping.

Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the BI, told a press briefing that Habbib allegedly invited Saudi nationals in need of kidney transplant to have the operation in the country, but only to swindle his victims.

Sandoval said it was the Saudi government that accused Habbib of human organ trafficking and that this was enough to identify him as an “undesirable alien” to be deported.

The BI plans to inform Saudi Arabia of Habbib’s arrest after collating all the necessary documents.

He was previously arrested in 2009 but was released after posting bail. Sandoval said Habbib has since made a family with a Filipino wife and children.

—JACOB LAZARO

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