Five Arrested in Islamabad Over Alleged Human Organ Trafficking; Large Quantity of Human Placenta Seized
Islamabad: A joint team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) has arrested five individuals, including foreign nationals, during a raid in Islamabad’s F-7 sector over their alleged involvement in the illegal trade of human biological material.
According to the FIA, authorities recovered a large quantity of human placenta during the operation. The seized material included fresh, dried, and processed placenta, which has been taken into custody for further investigation.
Officials stated that the suspects were allegedly obtaining human placenta from various hospitals. Preliminary investigations suggest that the material was collected from medical facilities in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Lahore before being processed and prepared for shipment.
Investigators further revealed that the suspects allegedly disguised the human placenta as sheep organs in export documentation and shipments. Initial evidence indicates that the processed placenta was being exported to Vietnam.
The FIA said that processed placenta is used in the production of certain medicines and medical products. Authorities believe the suspects had established an organized network with the assistance of local facilitators to acquire, process, and transport the biological material.
Samples of the recovered placenta have been sent to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for medical examination and forensic analysis. Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to question the arrested individuals and expand the probe to identify other members of the alleged network.
The FIA stated that further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation and forensic reports.
