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20 years

Former medical director faces more than 140 years in prison in organ trafficking case

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(ICR Archive)

(ICR Archive)

October 1st, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Dr. Francisco Mora Palma, the former head of nephrology at the Calderon Guardia Hospital, is facing more than 140 years in prison on charges of illegal organ harvesting and embezzlement, according to an indictment filed with the Criminal Court of San Jose recently obtained by the press.

 

Authorities arrested Mora Palma on June 18th, 2013 after an investigation revealed his involvement in an apparent transnational organ trafficking network. 

 

Mora Palma faces more than 140 years in prison – 10 years for each of 14 counts – if convicted only on the charges of human trafficking for the purpose of illegal organ harvesting, according to section 172 of the penal code.

 

Mora Palma has also been charged with 16 counts of embezzlement.

 

At the time of Mora Palma’s arrest, the Attorney General’s Office said that the trafficking network specialized in selling kidneys to patients in Israel.

 

“The patients who required the transplants were in Israeli territory, and some of the (trafficking) victims [had their kidney removed] here and others were transported to Israel.  We have information that at least one person died after being operated on in Israel,” Attorney General, Jorge Chavarria said at the time.

 

A police officer that allegedly recruited victims and was arrested the same day as Mora Palma is expected to be a star witness in the case as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.

 

Click here for our complete coverage on the topic of organ trafficking in Costa Rica.

 

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  • Karen Mata

    Enjoy that new Caja medical.
    You wait 6 months for an appointment, and wake up in a tub of ice with a missing kidney, or worse.
    And all this for only 3000$/year… what a deal…

  • duke ster

    Thank GOD!!!!! I reported on ICR several months ago about the unfortunate Canadian man who had his kidney stolen at Calderon Guardia back in 2007 or 8 or 9? He was returning to his rental/hotel? after a night of drinking with his friends when fell in a hole along the road. His friends took him to the hospital, in this case it was Calderon guardia. Well he was put out and when he woke up he discovered a large bandage on his midsection and was told he had “bruised his kidney” and that it had to be removed. He got dressed as fast as he could and even with his broken leg ( from the fall) he got to the airport as fast as he could and flew home to Canada. This story was reported in the Tico Times before they stopped printing the newspaper. I hope someone knows more about this Canadian man so he can find out about this criminal DR finally getting caught so he can get some satisfaction from knowing the thieving DR was finally caught. I realize Cr has a reputation of criminals getting away with their crimes even after they have been caught. Hopefully the Canadian man and others will be able to put pressure on the authorities and international attention on the thief DR’s so they will actually serve time in prison.

    • Brian Geary

      What, Israelis aren’t entitled to kidneys when they need them? Jewish laws preclude them from donating, which means they have a need above all others to your kidneys. In fact, there should be a law saying you have to give to them if they ask, to save them from the hassle of having to go through illegal means.

      • President

        YES please start the signature drive for the new international law. “FREE kidneys for a jew to save a jew from a hassle–give them free organs if they ask !! and so they won’t have to do something illegal to get one–but only if they ask”! Where do I personally sign? I want to be the first.

  • duke ster

    BASTARDS BASTARDS BASTARD BASTARD–ALSO THE HEART SPECIALISTS WORKIN THERE–FORGOT HIS NAME– PURE EVIL THESE GUYS ARE–PURE EVIL—IF YOU WOKE UP AND HAD ONE OF THESE EVIL BASTARDS WORKING ON YOU–YOU WOULDN’T FORGET IT–I PROMISE YOU. I HAD A HEART ATTACK AND THIS HEART SPECIALIST THERE –THE ONE IN CHARGE OF HEART SURGERIES- PUT A CABLE IN MY UPPER THIGH AND RAN IT UP INTO MY HEART ( CATHERIZATION) –GET THIS NOW—–WITHOUT ANESTHETIC !!!!!!! WHEN I SCREAMED HE STOPPED AND LOOKED DOWN AT ME AND SAID-” YOU DON’T LIKE IT ? “GO HOME”!!!! WISH I COULD REMEMBER HIS NAME–I ACTUALLY WENT BACK TO THE HOSPITAL LOOKING FOR HIM ABOUT A YEAR LATER, I WAS GOING TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM RIGHT THEN AND THERE–WHERE EVER I FOUND HIM. I DID STOP ONE GUY ( A DOCTOR) IN THE HALLWAY WHO HAD A SMALL GOATEE LIKE I REMEMBER THIS EVIL BASTARD DR DID, BUT HE DENIED BEING A HEART SURGEON AND KEPT WALKING. IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIND WHO THE HEART SURGEON AT HOSPITAL CALDERON LA GUARDIA IN 2007-2008 OOR 2009, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME OR POST ON ICR. THANKS, THAT EVIL PLACE FINALLY HAD A FIRE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE DIED. WHEN I WAS IN THE RECOVERY ROOM AFTER THE CATHERIZATION I HAD AN IV IN MY ARM, WELL IT JUST FELL OUT ONE DAY AND THEY JUST LEFT IT THERE ON THE FLOOR. THEN SOME POOR WOMAN WAS IN THE BED NEXT TO ME AND SHE HAD TO MOVE HER BOWELS–THEY JUST GAVE HER A BEDPAN AND DIDN’T EVEN PULL THE PRIVACY CURTAIN BETWEEN US. LISTEN PEOPLE, WAKE UP ! GET THE HECK OUT OF COSTA RICA NOW BEFORE SOMETHING UNFORTUNATE HAPPENS T O YOUR HEALTH. YOU WILL QUICKLY LEARN THAT YOU ARE IN A 3RD WORLD SHITHOLE–EVEN THE SO CALLED “GOOD” HOSPITALS WILL DO YOU BAD. THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT FLEECING YOUR POCKETS–THE SURGEONS 1ST LEARN HOW TO SURGICALLY REMOVE THE MONEY FROM YOUR WALLET BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. I AM SERIOUS–THESE 3RD WORLD DR’S IN CR DON’T GIVE A RAT’S ASS ABOUT YOU ,GRINGO,-IN FACT THEY HAVE NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT AND MUCH JEALOUSLY FOR GRINGOS AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT. I COULD TELL YOU HORROR STORIES ABOUT BEING LEFT ON A STRETCHER WHILE BEING ASKED IF YOU HAD CASH–I MEAN PEOPLE NEAR DEATH– IF THE ANSWER IS NO— YOUR BED WILL BE PUSHED INTO A CORNER WHERE YOU WILL—WILL–WILL DIE!!! DON’T BELIEVE IT? I HAVE JUST TOLD YOU STORIES FROM BEING THERE AND YOU HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE HEAD OF SURGERY BEING ARRESTED– WHAT MORE PROOF DO YOU WANT?

    • David Jones

      You need help Duke…Big Time. You remember everything but you can’t remember the Doctors name? Sick, sick, sick. You need help Duke, can I recommend a good shrink at Calderon Guardia or is it La Guardia.LOL.

      • duke ster

        You keep your shrink-I don’t need your input. Hey I thought you died.

        • David Jones

          I am a retired Merchant Marine Deck Officer. I did die and went to my locker ..as in Davy Jones locker. It’s a screen name, I use 4 or 5 different ones on my regular sites, never use my real name.

          • Karen Mata

            I’m a retired LDO also.

          • David Jones

            I am retired MM&P.

          • Karen Mata

            Yo tambien

          • David Jones

            You may already be aware of this but did you know that MM&P will pay 70% of your medical if you get the bill in English and dollars. I was made aware of this a couple of years ago.

          • Karen Mata

            Thank God, healthy so far. (Member of Costa Rica Tennis Club since 1991. Keep very active) Retired at 47, and still years from normal pension age.

            My son was here and had about 1000$ of dental work. They paid, no questions.

          • David Jones

            Great Union, I Joined in1968, Vietnam Sealift. They paid $1000.00 towards my hearing aid, I’m going on 74, been retired since mid 90s and still hanging in there.

          • Karen Mata

            Pleasure to exchange emails with you.

            I believe we’ve found a great retirement spot.

            Karen is just my handle, an old gf.

            retired in 2001 …had my pre employment checkup at the world trade center, about 5 months prior to nine eleven. (and years before had been barge engineer trainee on the sedco 135, a year before it exploded causing the biggest oil spill in history, so this is all gravy now)

            I’ve got a buddy who joined at the same time and same circumstances…You probably know him…has a home in sabana sur

          • duke ster

            Maybe you should stay in that locker dude.

      • Karen Mata

        David Jones, my favorite mono.

        • David Jones

          Hey Karen, what’s a mono?

          • turbooperator

            Sss

      • Karen Mata

        This guy is sick because a name slips him??

        Bet you went to MMA…

      • duke ster

        You see how YOUR sickness comes back to bite you in the ass?

      • gunns

        ever been totally alone my friend and scared Crawl back in the locker Davy

      • gunns

        Albert Einstien siad he was afraid that tech would turns us to idiots. you have proved him right.

        • gunns

          GOd Davy no reply means nil brain or no balls

  • duke ster

    THE HEART SURGEON’S NAME WAS SAENS OR SOMETHING SIMMILAR–A COSTA RICAN NAME WHICH IS COMMON AND SIMILAR TO SAENS,,PLEASE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO RESEARCH THE HEART DR’S AT CALDERON LA GUARDIA HOSPITAL IN THE EARLY YEARS OF 2000′S (( BEFORE 2012) LET ME KNOW–THANKS. THESE RATS HATE GRINGOS PEOPLE–DON’T LET THE EDUCATION FOOL YOU. THEY FEEL INFERIOR TO THE CORE AND THEY DO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE INDEED INFERIOR TO A WESTERN, EUORPEAN STOCK CITIZEN WHO HAS COME FROM CENTURIES OF CIVILIZED BREEDING. REMEMBER I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE–THESE PEOPLE CAME FROM CENTURIES OF ANCESTORS WHO HAVE BEEN BEATING THEIR TORTILLAS ON A ROCK UP UNTIL A FEW HUNDRED YEARS AGO WHEN THE SPANISH SHIPS AND EXPLORERS MIXED THEIR SPERM WITH THE NAKED PRIMITIVES. THE CRIMINALS WHO CREWED THESE SHIPS SEARCHING FOR GOLD FOR THE KING OR QUEEN AND HAD A CREW OF CRIMINALS AND N’EE R DO WELLS WHO SIGNED ON TO CREW THESE DANGEROUS SHIPS BECAUSE THAT WAS THEIR BEST OPTION OTHER THAN PRISON OR DEATH FOR THEIR CRIMES BACK IN SPAIN. SO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN OUT OF THE JUNGLE FOR LONG AND IT SHOWS.

    • Karen Mata

      But Duke remember virtually all the inventions over the past century plus including, technology, medical breakthroughs, pharmaceuticals, lunar landings etc, are thanks to the mind of a tico…..

    • gunns

      We are all judged by the lowest common denominator. My friend’. What was Pacifica sur 10 yrs ago. How many Ticos lost land through swindles. Think you had land and somebody offered you a fortune for it. Now you have nothing and your daughter is working as a maid at a hotel and the assholes who like to pretend they are rich thinks she’s free game for enough money.

      I too had a misdiagnosis and was supposed to die of liver and pancreatic cancer. Still here and kicking.Realized it was hate and wanting to punish others that was making me sick. Yes this country has problems and they are complex. It is not the so called “little people” that are the problem it”s the so called elite. As reideents we still have power. The defensor publia is obligated to serve you in disputes with the government. I’ve even had my diputado put a rocket up the mayors ass. IF you are willing to channel some of your anger to a purpose I’m sure others can help. IF they think that all expats have money trees. Kets show them how money talks. Drive campaign workers help put up signs, organize events. DON’T BITCH DO SOMET

      • duke ster

        I AM trying to do something–I am trying to find DR Saenz-the Heart surgeon at Hospital Calderon Guardia–I have to “speak” to him–that rat bastard! Anyone know of him or how I can locate the scumbag?

        • gunns

          This should be kept close to the chest. If you are serious know who and what you are taking on. I can give you a name of a very helpful official in the southern zone My advice is lose the anger. I know it’ hard but fear and anger kill the mind Write back, ten year vet here. This guy is real; no money for help

          • duke ster

            Yes please give me the name-I really don’t have crazy anger, but thanks for the warning-I also realize it is not good to keep anger because it festers and can cause real problems. I really just want to punch the asshole in the jaw, knock him out, and I will be ok with that. Being CR-I probably won’t get in too much trouble for that especially if I hightail it soon afterward. Does he still work at Calderon Guardia is what I want to know 1st.

          • gunns

            Take from an old warrior this would be a lomg war and with no bloodshed IT would be official. I too have many I want to cause harm to. That gets us no where. GATHER THE PAPER WORK YOU HAVE AND THERE WILL BE SOMETHING THAT STINGS . Any thing can help even if it seems to mean nothing Please ignore caps and other mistakes. I’m older and typing is new fro me. I can arrange a meeting but the tone of the conversation needs to be toned down. I have been a trained union negotiator for all my wiorking life there are others out there who have similar experiences.. if we can get to more examples we have a better case. There have been many cases that expats have been messed with lets try tu get together i’ll be heading to s
            san jose in a day or two definitely in san jose ontues day. only for 24hrs. Still here on line tonight awl

        • Karen Mata

          Let it go, Duke. The Lord takes care of these things.

          • duke ster

            Thanks Baby-God Bless

    • gunns

      Yes but the natives gave the europeans the clap. Tha twas what what killed King Henry viii and brought Elizabeth to the throne and eventually brought down the Spanish empire. I laugh at Independence day here. It really seems like we just woke up one day and the colonial power had left.

      That opened up an opportunity for the likes of Walker and his ilk to try to establish a slave nation because they could see the writing on the wall in the states. The central americans stopped that. When he tried again in British Honduras The Brits did the right thing as a colonial power
      “Local problem; local solution old chap. Now stiff upper lip. Stand at the wall. smoke? Well die well for the wogs. Show them what an English man is made of. WHAT your a fucking Yank. Men up half the night polish ingbrass. Fucking bang playing the Danny Deever to get it right.AND you tell me your a fucking yank well we can’t have that.We don’t do show for this for bloody Yanks.Tell me are there any French around. Humm Germans maybe.Shame all the men on parade gibbet and all.
      I say its all right since you took over this country your sovereign and I represent a government of England its all equal . BANG your dead Yes I am nuts and don’t take much seriously.

      .

  • Larry Worsham

    I was referred to Dr Francsco Mora back in 2004 for a lung biopsy because a spot had been discovered during a routine checkup. I waited three hours along with a room full of other patients before getting to see him. I was told that I’d be contacted for the biopsy when space was available. The biopsy would have required being cut front to back, the biopsy taken and then I’d be sewn up. The results wouldn’t be available for a minimum of three weeks and if it was malignant I’d have to be opened up again for a partial lung removal.

    I waited three months without getting an appointment and when I went back at the direction of my other doctor waited another three hours before finding out he’d left an hour earlier. I was told, however, that I was still on the waiting list.

    Three months later my doctor at Hospital Max Peralta Jiménez in Cartago was so incensed that nothing had been done he contacted another Dr. (I believe his name was Meniere but can’t be certain of the spelling as all the paperwork is now with my current health provider) and I had the choice of having the biopsy done immediately at either Calderon Guardia or at a private hospital, at my own expense, of course, should I choose the private hospital. I chose the private hospital which was Clinica CIMA because it was to be done with fiberoptic invasion and I could get the results immediately.

    This was a good choice because I was admitted the next morning and after three days in a first class hospital I was out and knew that I had nothing to worry about. The service was great, the food was from a menu of the restaurant on the ground floor and they had a bed in the room for my wife to stay if she wished.

    I’m now certainly convinced that my initial impression of Dr Mora was correct in that he really didn’t care for the welfare of his patients. He had been abrupt and rude when I did speak with him but that’s possibly because he usually wasn’t asked questions by his normal clientele.

    • duke ster

      Thank God you had the money to go to Cima!!! Thank God my friend. I found out later ( about my being put on the waiting list for Caja heart surgery) that by the time the patients number comes up for their heart surgery,usually 9 months to a year, the call is put into their home where someone answers and says? “Their number already came up and they are dead!” That is the unfortunate reality of being here with caja insurance. I have to say GOD BLESS THE USA !! and I never knew how important it actually is to have such favor of God than to be privileged to be a citizen of The United States of America !!!! I have found out 1st hand why everyone risks life and limb to get into this wonderful country The United States of America. I know many of us came to Costa Rica to get away from what we saw as the police state coming to USA, but the reality is, after MUCH study into this, is that being in catholic majority country will be so much worse for Gringos than being in the USA for you see the Pope tells people to jump and they ask how high. The Catholic pope is currently a Jesuit–just google the Jesuit creed and see what they believe because it will sicken you to the core. Everything done in the name of furthering the Jesuit end is honorable–even to the dashing to death of infants –ripping infants out of the womb–think I am kidding? read what important people like Napoleon, U.S. Presidents, and very important people of history have said about the Jesuits. And I should be careful here because I am sure Jesuits are reading this post, but it is well known facts of which I speak–not secrets I give away. The pope is in league with muslims so in the final days when muslims rum amuck cutting off heads wherever they will find those who don’t submit, remember the catholics will be right there among them as soon as the pope decrees. he had muslims, and all religions ( except born again Christians) on a stage with him declaring ” we are all one and worship the same god” well not THE God, not Jehovah the God of creation. But a god who wants followers to pray to statues and other dead gods and watch as the followers crawl on their knees until they are bloody–all to actually holify themselves as in “look at me–I am holy”– never to actually honor God but to crawl on their knees while all the while approaching a dead stone idol/ The Bible says to not have any graven images ( carved images) there are 30 verses dealing with the subject–here is one:Leviticus 26:1 ESV / 69 helpful votes

      “You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God.

      I am sure it does not say that in the made up catholic bible. Because they have statues of ISIS holding her son –the sun god Ra–that;s right–it’s a replay of the old pagan religion packaged in a more modern but still evil and decadent package which will ;lead those who follow to the wide highway to hell.Never to get out–NEVER! Surely many who read this say don’t believe in God, but God has put in in all of us to know who He is. Many are angry or confused as to there actually being a Holy God, well I can tell you one important thing to do–ASK GOD to show you if He is real–ask Him to prove to you He exists,,you WILL get an answer. YOU WILL. True I am not perfect nor do I pretend to be but I will be forgiven when I forgive ( which is what I am trying to learn to do–it’s not an easy task that’s for sure.

      • Larry Worsham

        My post had nothing to do with religion and it’s offensive that you chose it for your rant.

        I didn’t have the money for the surgery, I maxed out three credit cards to have it done. The same surgery would have cost 20 times the amount I spent had I had it done at my own expense in the US or any other ‘progressive’ country.

  • duke ster

    Wise words Gunn, unfortunately I really don’t know the name of the surgeon-that’s why I am asking for help finding the heart surgeon of those years at Calderon.2006-2007- I was suffering from a heart attack at the time and was wheeled into an operation room at 1:30 A.M and wasn’t thinking about remembering this guy’s name-I was worried about surviving, being all alone and everyone speaking Spanish ( until the asshole stopped and spoke directly into my face while shoving a cable into my heart–I actually thought I might die from that friggin’ cable–forget the heart attack–it hurt that bad.

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