Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller Season 3 Episode 1 Black Market Organs

In season 3 of Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, the investigative journalist returns to expose the dangerous and often deadly underground world of black markets. From organ trafficking to counterfeit goods and human smuggling, the show aims to shed light on the illicit activities that take place around the world.

In the first episode of season 3, titled "Black Market Organs," Mariana delves into the illegal trade of human organs. Every year, thousands of people around the world die waiting for a transplant, and the demand for organs far outweighs the supply. This has led to a thriving black market where organs are bought and sold like any other commodity.

Mariana travels to different parts of the world to uncover the murky world of organ trafficking. She starts in the United States, where she meets a man who says he has been involved in buying and selling organs for over a decade. He claims to have facilitated dozens of transplants, but Mariana questions whether the organs he is providing are obtained legally or illegally.

From there, Mariana heads to the Philippines, a country known to be a hub for organ trafficking. She speaks to a woman who was offered money to sell her kidney, and another woman who donated a kidney to her husband's relative, only to find out later that it was sold on the black market. Mariana also meets with a doctor who claims to have been offered bribes to perform illegal organ transplants.

Next, Mariana travels to Iran, the only country in the world where organ trade is legal, but heavily regulated. She explores the country's organ donation system, where living donors can receive compensation for donating their organs to those in need. However, Mariana questions whether the system is as transparent as it seems, and whether there are still underground markets operating in the country.

In the final leg of her journey, Mariana goes to Israel, where she investigates the link between the Israeli healthcare system and the Palestinian black market for organs. She speaks to Palestinian patients who have reportedly been coerced into selling their organs, and Israeli doctors who have been caught performing illegal surgeries. Mariana also meets with an Israeli man who is dedicating his life to helping Palestinians in need of transplants, despite the political tensions between the two sides.

Throughout the episode, Mariana uncovers the human cost of organ trafficking and the devastating impact it can have on the lives of those involved. She exposes the many loopholes in the system and the lack of oversight that allows these black markets to operate. With each interview, Mariana adds another piece to the puzzle, revealing the dark and dangerous side of the organ trade.