ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered an alleged illegal human tissue processing operation in Islamabad, arresting five suspects, including three Chinese nationals and two Pakistani citizens, officials said.

According to the FIA Islamabad Zone, a raid was conducted at a house in Sector F-7/1, where investigators discovered a facility allegedly being used to process and dry human placental tissue. Officials said the processed material was marketed as "She Placenta" and was allegedly intended for export, particularly to Vietnam.

The agency said a second processing unit linked to the same network was also identified in Sector F-11 during the investigation.

Those arrested have been identified as Chinese nationals Li Geng Lei, Wang Bao, and Pengfei Gao, along with Pakistani nationals Waqas Sarwarand Qaiser Hanif.

During the operation, FIA officials seized processing equipment, biological material, and other evidence from the premises. Authorities said samples recovered during the raid, including suspected human tissue, have been sent for forensic examination to determine their nature.

According to preliminary investigations, the two Pakistani suspects allegedly worked with the Chinese nationals as drivers and facilitators in what investigators describe as an organized network. Officials are examining whether the operation was involved in the illegal collection, processing, and export of human biological material.

An FIA spokesperson said a case has been registered under the Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation Act, 2010, and further investigations are underway to identify additional individuals who may have been involved in the alleged network.

The arrested suspects have been transferred to an undisclosed location for questioning. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released regarding the scope of the alleged operation.

The FIA has not yet disclosed the source of the recovered biological material or whether the alleged exports had previously reached international markets. Officials said further information will be released after forensic analysis and the completion of the investigation.