200 kg human placenta is collected from hospitals monthly at Rs 800 per organ, investigation revealed
ISLAMABAD – Pakistani authorities are investigating the country’s first known case of alleged commercial trade and international trafficking of human placentas, with investigators claiming the network collected about 200 kilograms of placentas from hospitals every month and tried to export them abroad.
The investigation began after a joint operation by the FIA and the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) in Islamabad recovered nearly 500 kg of suspected human placenta, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including three Chinese nationals, for their involvement in the illegal trade of human biological material.
The scope of investigation has spread beyond Islamabad to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Authorities are also investigating the possible involvement of customs officials, hospital staff and waste management companies in the alleged network.
Investigators claim to have intercepted a shipment of around 100kg of suspected human placenta allegedly destined for Vietnam. During the court proceedings, the FIA told the court that the accused had tried to export a consignment of 30 cartons of placenta and around 580 kg was seized at the Islamabad airport.
The agency requested a 7-day physical remand for further investigation of the case, but the local court granted only one-day remand, ordering the production of the accused again. According to the First Information Report (FIR), investigators have alleged that the suspects disguised the recovered material as “sheep’s umbilical cord” to facilitate its commercial export.
The samples collected during the operation were initially sent to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency for laboratory analysis. Officials say the final forensic report is still awaited.
Despite pending laboratory results, FIA investigators and Hota officials say preliminary investigations suggest the recovered material is human placenta allegedly collected from hospitals for money. The investigation stemmed from intelligence received by HOTA about alleged illegal trade in human organs and tissues in Islamabad’s F-7 sector.
A joint raid at a private residence reportedly revealed what investigators described as a facility used to store and process human placentas. During the operation, three Chinese and two Pakistani nationals were detained.
Information obtained during interrogation led investigators to another property in Islamabad’s E-11 sector, where they allegedly recovered a large quantity of placenta stored in refrigerators and containers, officials said. Two additional Pakistani nationals and another Chinese national were later detained for questioning regarding their possible involvement.
The case has been registered under Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code along with Section 11 and 12 of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 2010. If convicted, the accused can be sentenced to ten years in prison and a fine of up to one million rupees.
“The FIA has taken several actions against illegal human organ transplants in the past, but this is the first investigation into the alleged commercial trade and international network of human placentas,” said an official involved in the investigation.
The investigators also recovered processing equipment and finished products from the FIA during the raids. Authorities are investigating whether additional people were involved in collecting the placenta from hospitals and facilitating its transport and export.
The accused allegedly bought about Rs 800 per placenta from hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and prepared it for sending abroad. Investigators estimate that the seized material is worth several crores of rupees, the commercial value of which is yet to be determined.
The placenta contains hormones such as estrogen and progesterone and has recognized medical uses. Placental-derived materials are used internationally in certain pharmaceutical products, including treatments for postpartum depression and postpartum anemia. The placenta’s inner membrane contains growth factors that are used in regenerative medicine to treat severe burns, chronic wounds, ulcers and some eye injuries, she added.
Officials said that placenta products are also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. According to the FIA, investigators believe the recovered placenta was intended to manufacture anti-aging injections, some of which are reportedly sold in Pakistan for Rs 700,000.
It also raised the question of why such a quantity of placenta could not have reached private residences without the possible help of those connected to the hospital administration, an aspect that is under investigation.
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The post Hospitals charge 200 kg of human placenta monthly at Rs 800 per organ, revealed in the investigation appeared first on Daily Pakistan News
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