ISLAMABAD: The FIA has uncovered a major human organs and tissue smuggling scandal in the capital. Five suspects were arrested in raids across F-7/1 and E-11, officials said.
The Corporate Crime Circle and Human Organs Transplant Authority (HOTA) carried out a joint operation in F-7/1. A large quantity of human organs was recovered and five people were taken into custody. Three Chinese nationals are among them, identified as Li Gang, Wang Bao and Peng Fei. The Pakistani suspects are Muhammad Waqas and Qasim Hanif.
HOTA filed the case and produced the men in court. A four-day physical remand was granted.
FIA says the gang was running illegal centres in F-7/1 and E-11. Organs and human flesh were found in fridges and containers. Fresh and dried human placentas were also seized. Investigators claim the group labelled placentas as sheep umbilical cords to ship them abroad.
Residences had been converted into labs for storing and packing the material. Pims Hospital has confirmed the recovered items are human organs.
The suspects were buying human placentas from different hospitals, processing them, drying them and smuggling them out, FIA added.
What’s a placenta?
It’s the organ that forms in the womb during pregnancy and connects to the baby through the umbilical cord. It gives the foetus oxygen and nutrients, removes waste, and is expelled after birth. Some countries use it in medicines, cosmetics and traditional remedies.
