Pakistan investigates alleged human placenta trafficking ring linked to anti-aging treatments

Pakistani authorities are investigating an alleged criminal network accused of trafficking human placentas from hospitals for use in anti-aging treatments, according to the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The FIA said the group allegedly purchased about 200 kilograms of placentas each month from hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi before drying and processing the tissue for export. During a raid on an illegal processing facility in Islamabad late last month, investigators seized approximately 500 kilograms of what is believed to be human placentas and arrested five suspects.

According to the FIA, the placentas were allegedly intended for overseas markets, where they would be processed into anti-aging injections that could sell for around $2,530 each. Hina Kanwal, an official with Pakistan’s Human Organ Transplant Authority, told BBC News Urdu that hospital staff could not have supplied the placentas without administrative complicity. Authorities also suspect the network operated in other cities, including Lahore and Peshawar.

The FIA has since arrested a total of nine suspects in connection with the case. Officials also said investigators intercepted another 100 kilograms of suspected human placentas at Islamabad International Airport that were allegedly bound for Vietnam. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the possible involvement of hospital personnel, immigration officials and waste management companies.