The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Islamabad arrested five individuals suspected of trafficking human placenta for illicit manufacturing of anti-ageing treatments, according to a recent BBC report. During a raid on an illegal processing site last week, officials seized approximately 500 kilograms of what is believed to be human placenta.
Photographs revealed the placental material arranged in trolley carts within a converted residence. Additionally, FIA intercepted a shipment weighing 100 kg at Islamabad airport heading for Vietnam. The suspects purchased these placental materials from hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi at about Rs800 per piece.
Hina Kanwal, an officer with the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA), informed that this criminal ring allegedly bought 200 kg of human organs each month for processing into anti-ageing injections priced at Rs700,000. The FIA also revealed suspicions surrounding immigration officers, waste management companies, and hospitals for potential involvement.
The syndicate claimed initially they were handling sheep placenta but later admitted to using human placenta in their operations. Despite the arrests, officials believe the network’s activities extend beyond Islamabad into other major cities including Lahore, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi. The FIA highlighted that harvesting organs for commercial use carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to Rs1 million.
Gynecologist Sadaf Tariq explained placenta’s high nutritional value—rich in protein, iron, and fat—and its potential as a source for tissue regeneration. However, she noted the strict regulations governing placental disposal due to its status as
Source: Original report
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