3 Chinese nationals among 5 held as FIA busts alleged human placenta smuggling ring in Islamabad

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claimed on Friday to have uncovered an alleged network involved in the illegal processing and export of human placenta in Islamabad, arresting five people, including three foreign nationals.

According to the FIA, the operation was carried out during a late-night raid on a house in Islamabad's F-7 sector, where officials discovered what they described as a fully functional facility used for the illegal processing of human organs, particularly human placenta.

Investigators said the suspects were drying and processing human placenta at the site before preparing it for export. The processed material was allegedly shipped to Vietnam under the label "She Placenta."

The five suspects taken into custody include three Chinese citizens and two Pakistanis, the agency said.

During the investigation, the FIA also raided another house in Islamabad's E-11 sector after receiving information linked to the same network. Officials said they found another similar processing unit operating there.

The agency said it recovered processing machinery along with finished products from the premises.

An FIR has been registered against the suspects under relevant provisions of the Human Organs Transplantation Act, 2010, and further investigation is underway.

Human placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. After childbirth, it is usually discarded, donated for scientific research, or used for approved medical purposes with the mother's informed consent.