FIA Busts Alleged Human Placenta Smuggling Ring in Islamabad, Five Arrested
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five suspects in Islamabad for their alleged involvement in smuggling human placenta, which investigators believe was processed and exported for use in high-value anti-ageing injections.
According to media reports, the arrests followed an FIA raid on an illegal processing facility in Islamabad, where officials recovered around 500 kilograms of suspected human placenta.
Authorities said the house had been converted into a storage and processing centre, with photographs released by the agency showing trays of dried placenta arranged inside the facility.
In a separate operation, FIA officials also intercepted a 100-kilogram shipment of suspected placenta at Islamabad International Airport that was reportedly destined for Vietnam.
According to officials, the suspects allegedly purchased placenta from hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for approximately Rs800 per piece before drying, processing, and preparing it for export.
Hina Kanwal, an official of the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA), said investigators believe the group acquired nearly 200 kilograms of placenta from various hospitals every month.
Initially, the suspects reportedly claimed the recovered material was sheep placenta. However, investigators said they later admitted during questioning that it was human placenta.
The FIA believes the processed material was intended for use in anti-ageing injections sold internationally for as much as Rs700,000 per dose.
Nationwide Investigation Underway
Investigators suspect the alleged network extends beyond Islamabad, with possible links to Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar.
The FIA has expanded its investigation to determine whether hospital staff, waste management companies, or immigration officials played any role in facilitating the operation.
Authorities are also examining how medical waste was allegedly diverted from healthcare facilities despite regulations governing its disposal.
Strict Legal Penalties
Under Pakistani law, the commercial trade or illegal harvesting of human organs and tissues carries severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs1 million.
Medical experts have emphasized that placenta is classified as infectious medical waste and must be disposed of under strict health and safety protocols.
Although some countries market placenta-based cosmetic and wellness products, medical experts continue to debate their effectiveness, while stressing that the handling and export of human biological material must comply with legal and ethical standards.
The FIA said investigations are continuing to identify other individuals and organisations that may be connected to the alleged smuggling network.
