(January 30, 2008)--Police in India are continuing investigations into a major organ transplant racket that they believe sold up to 500 kidneys to clients who traveled to the country from around the world over the past nine years for kidney transplants.

Police suspect that dozens of doctors were involved in the kidney racket, which had a waiting list of some 40 people hailing from at least five countries.

The scam, centered in Gurgaon, a posh suburb of New Delhi, used luxury cars outfitted with blood-testing machines to test donors on the fly as well as sophisticated surgical equipment hidden inside a residential neighborhood.

The primary suspects, who police said have been tied to organ transplant rackets in the past, have apparently fled the country, police said.

There long have been reports of poor Indians illegally selling their kidneys, but the transplant racket in Gurgaon, which was busted last Thursday following a tip from a victim, is one of the most extensive to come to light.

Accounts varied on whether laborers were aware they were selling their kidneys or whether doctors removed them without their consent.

Under Indian law, the sale of human organs is illegal under any circumstances, though organ donations are allowed.

The Hindustan Times newspaper reported that those who were paid for their organs earned $1,250 to $2,500.

The kidney ring had a waiting list of dozens of people from India, the United States and Greece, according to the Hindustan Times.

Several patients waiting for a transplant were at the facilities when police raided them Friday, but they were allowed to return to their countries without being held for questioning.

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