Peru arrests 'human fat killers'

DiamondGeezer · 21st November 2009, 08:21

Four people have been arrested in Peru on suspicion of killing dozens of people in order to sell their fat and tissue for cosmetic uses in Europe.

The gang allegedly targeted people on remote roads, luring them with fake job offers before killing them and extracting their fat.

The liquidised product fetched $15,000 (£9,000) a litre and police suspect it was sold on to companies in Europe.

At least five other suspects, including two Italian nationals, remain at large.

Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in Peru's Huanuco and Pasco regions.

One of those arrested told police the ringleader had been killing people for their fat for more than three decades.

The gang has been referred to as the Pishtacos, after an ancient Peruvian legend of killers who attack people on lonely roads and murder them for their fat.

Human tissue

At a news conference in the capital, police showed reporters two bottles containing human body fat and images of one of the alleged victims.

One of the alleged killings is reported to have taken place in mid-September, with the person's body tissue removed for sale.

Cmdr Angel Toledo told Reuters news agency some of the suspects had "declared and stated how they murdered people with the aim being to extract their fat in rudimentary labs and sell it".

Police said they suspect the fat was sold to cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies in Europe, but have not confirmed any such connection.

Human fat is used in modern cosmetic procedures but in most cases it is the patient's own fat that is used and under strict legal guidelines.

Medical authorities have expressed scepticism about a black market for human fat, partly because of the wide availability of fat for use in surgical procedures.

'Detailed confession'

Gen Felix Burga, head of Peru's police criminal division, said there were indications that "an international network trafficking human fat" was operating from Peru.

The first person was arrested earlier this month in a bus station in Lima, carrying a shipment of the fat.

The Associated Press news agency quoted Col Jorge Mejia as saying one of the suspects had described to police in detail how the victims were killed and their fat removed.

The suspect said the fat was then sold to intermediaries in Lima and that the gang's leader, Hilario Cudena, had been carrying out such murders for decades, AP reported.

The alleged buyers of the fat are also being hunted by police

BBC News - 'Fat for cosmetics' murder suspects arrested in Peru

DiamondGeezer · 21st November 2009, 08:22

Really hope that goose fat I've got to roast my spuds is goose fat

mozr · 21st November 2009, 10:16

That's why Beyonce's arse reminds me of Machu Picchu.

Munkey · 21st November 2009, 11:04

I guess we've found our solution to recession. We should round up all the burger chomping balti eating fatties and melt them down to sell the refined fat lard to ugly nations.

I read on the internet there are countries where women have to hide their faces as they're so hideous looking.

bod · 21st November 2009, 11:08

just put me off my brekkie

Seedy_r0m · 21st November 2009, 13:17

First rule of Fight Club is:

You do not talk about Fight Club.

wonko · 21st November 2009, 14:25

"The gang has been referred to as the Pishtacos, after an ancient Peruvian legend of killers who attack people on lonely roads and murder them for their fat"

hmm...lot of trade in ancient times between peru and europe then?

and I thought we had our own fat people to chop up? this chopping up peruvians and then flyign the bits to europe is just enviromentlally unfriendly - tho tbh I havent done a full anaylsis - it may be that the damage done by the flight is offset completely by the reduction in burgers eaten

pks00 · 21st November 2009, 20:45

off to the states and most likely be eating shedloads of fatty foods. mouth dripping alreasdy as cant wait to tuck into those burrito's from del taco. jalapeno poppers in jack in the box and those tasty burgers and peppers from in and out. hmmmmmm

anyways back to the story, bit shocking that. never thought fat would be of use except to the cannibals that is.

21st November 2009, 08:21	#1 (permalink)
DiamondGeezer DW Guru Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Peru arrests 'human fat killers' Four people have been arrested in Peru on suspicion of killing dozens of people in order to sell their fat and tissue for cosmetic uses in Europe. The gang allegedly targeted people on remote roads, luring them with fake job offers before killing them and extracting their fat. The liquidised product fetched $15,000 (£9,000) a litre and police suspect it was sold on to companies in Europe. At least five other suspects, including two Italian nationals, remain at large. Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in Peru's Huanuco and Pasco regions. One of those arrested told police the ringleader had been killing people for their fat for more than three decades. The gang has been referred to as the Pishtacos, after an ancient Peruvian legend of killers who attack people on lonely roads and murder them for their fat. Human tissue At a news conference in the capital, police showed reporters two bottles containing human body fat and images of one of the alleged victims. One of the alleged killings is reported to have taken place in mid-September, with the person's body tissue removed for sale. Cmdr Angel Toledo told Reuters news agency some of the suspects had "declared and stated how they murdered people with the aim being to extract their fat in rudimentary labs and sell it". Police said they suspect the fat was sold to cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies in Europe, but have not confirmed any such connection. Human fat is used in modern cosmetic procedures but in most cases it is the patient's own fat that is used and under strict legal guidelines. Medical authorities have expressed scepticism about a black market for human fat, partly because of the wide availability of fat for use in surgical procedures. 'Detailed confession' Gen Felix Burga, head of Peru's police criminal division, said there were indications that "an international network trafficking human fat" was operating from Peru. The first person was arrested earlier this month in a bus station in Lima, carrying a shipment of the fat. The Associated Press news agency quoted Col Jorge Mejia as saying one of the suspects had described to police in detail how the victims were killed and their fat removed. The suspect said the fat was then sold to intermediaries in Lima and that the gang's leader, Hilario Cudena, had been carrying out such murders for decades, AP reported. The alleged buyers of the fat are also being hunted by police BBC News - 'Fat for cosmetics' murder suspects arrested in Peru

21st November 2009, 08:22	#2 (permalink)
DiamondGeezer DW Guru Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' Really hope that goose fat I've got to roast my spuds is goose fat

21st November 2009, 10:16	#3 (permalink)
mozr Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In v14's loft, waiting. Posts: 3,174 Thanks: 240 Thanked 190 Times in 118 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' That's why Beyonce's arse reminds me of Machu Picchu.

21st November 2009, 11:04	#4 (permalink)
Munkey DW Guru ++ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Essex bruv Posts: 5,829 Thanks: 257 Thanked 261 Times in 188 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' I guess we've found our solution to recession. We should round up all the burger chomping balti eating fatties and melt them down to sell the refined fat lard to ugly nations. I read on the internet there are countries where women have to hide their faces as they're so hideous looking.

21st November 2009, 11:08	#5 (permalink)
bod DW Respected Member +++ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In A Peaceful Place Posts: 1,843 Thanks: 247 Thanked 267 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' just put me off my brekkie __________________ If I've helped, please tip the scales

21st November 2009, 13:17	#6 (permalink)
Seedy_r0m DW Guru ++ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Calton Creek Posts: 4,123 Thanks: 133 Thanked 233 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' First rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. __________________ Please don't thank me...I'm not a "thanks button wh0re".

21st November 2009, 14:25	#7 (permalink)
wonko DW Top Poster +++ Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 959 Thanks: 6 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' "The gang has been referred to as the Pishtacos, after an ancient Peruvian legend of killers who attack people on lonely roads and murder them for their fat" hmm...lot of trade in ancient times between peru and europe then? and I thought we had our own fat people to chop up? this chopping up peruvians and then flyign the bits to europe is just enviromentlally unfriendly - tho tbh I havent done a full anaylsis - it may be that the damage done by the flight is offset completely by the reduction in burgers eaten

21st November 2009, 20:45	#8 (permalink)
pks00 DW Guru + Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Getting sunburnt in SoCal Posts: 3,147 Thanks: 102 Thanked 136 Times in 89 Posts	Re: Peru arrests 'human fat killers' off to the states and most likely be eating shedloads of fatty foods. mouth dripping alreasdy as cant wait to tuck into those burrito's from del taco. jalapeno poppers in jack in the box and those tasty burgers and peppers from in and out. hmmmmmm anyways back to the story, bit shocking that. never thought fat would be of use except to the cannibals that is. __________________ Remember people to acknowledge other members posts and hit the THANKS* button if they have helped in anyway.* http://i18.tinypic.com/6sa1e90.gif

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