FIA registers FIR over alleged illegal human organ and placenta trade in Islamabad

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against several Pakistani and Chinese nationals over their alleged

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against several Pakistani and Chinese nationals over their alleged involvement in illegal human organ and placenta collection, storage, processing and commercial trade in Islamabad.

According to an FIR lodged by the FIA Corporate Crime Circle, Islamabad, on the complaint of the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA), the suspects were allegedly operating unauthorized facilities in Sector F-7/1 and Sector E-11 of the federal capital.

The case has been registered under Sections 11 and 12 of the Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation Act, 2010, read with Sections 420, 34 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR states that HOTA received information on June 24 regarding alleged commercial activities involving human organs and tissues at a house located in Sector F-7/1. Acting on the information, a joint team of FIA Corporate Crime Circle officials and HOTA representatives conducted a raid at the premises.

During the raid, the premises, which appeared to be a private residence, was allegedly found to have been converted into an unauthorized facility for the storage and processing of human placenta. The suspects were allegedly involved in the collection, preservation, packaging and preparation of human placenta for commercial purposes.

The FIA said that both Pakistani and Chinese nationals were present at the premises and were allegedly engaged in the illegal collection, processing and sale of human placenta.

The accused named in the FIR include Chinese nationals Li Gangcai, Wang Bao and Peng Fei Guo, along with Pakistani national Muhammad Waqas. Two local workers were also taken into custody during the operation.

According to the FIR, during interrogation one of the accused allegedly disclosed another location in Sector E-11, Islamabad, where illegal activities relating to the collection, storage and trade of human organs were also being carried out. A subsequent raid reportedly led to the recovery of multiple containers and refrigerators containing suspected human organs.

Investigators also seized fresh and dried materials believed to be human placenta along with other relevant articles. The FIR further alleges that the material was being misdeclared as sheep placenta for export abroad for commercial purposes.

Samples of the recovered material have been sent to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for forensic examination and further investigation.

The FIA said investigations are underway to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the suspected human organ and tissue trade network. The accused will face legal proceedings under relevant provisions of the law.