The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has expanded its investigation into an alleged human placenta trafficking network after uncovering new leads during the interrogation of five arrested suspects, officials and sources said on Monday.

Speaking informally to reporters, FIA Director Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari said the network was allegedly involved in processing human placenta to manufacture collagen injections and skin-related products. He described it as a well-organised operation and said large-scale raids were underway to dismantle the entire network.

“The investigation will be taken to its logical conclusion and everyone involved, including the main ringleaders, will be brought to justice,” Bukhari said.

According to the FIA, the suspects allegedly smuggled human placenta abroad after falsely declaring it as sheep organs in export documents.

Authorities believe the material was destined for Vietnam after being packed for shipment.

Investigators suspect a nexus involving hospital support staff, agents and foreign nationals facilitated the illegal trade.

However, Bukhari clarified that no doctors have been arrested so far.

The five suspects — three foreign nationals and two Pakistanis — remain in FIA custody on a four-day physical remand.

They are expected to be produced before a court on Tuesday upon completion of their remand.

Following fresh disclosures during questioning, the FIA has widened its inquiry to hospitals in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar to determine where the placenta was obtained and how the alleged supply chain operated.

Officials said successful raids have already been conducted at two locations in Islamabad, where investigators collected documentary and physical evidence.

Additional raids in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar also yielded material relevant to the investigation.

The case first came to light after FIA officials raided a house in Islamabad’s Sector F-7/1 and arrested five suspects.

Authorities recovered suspected human organs and tissue, which have been sent for forensic examination to determine their nature and origin.

Bukhari described the case as not only a matter of corruption but also one involving the desecration of human dignity, adding that investigations are continuing to identify and arrest all remaining facilitators.