'Fat for cosmetics' murder suspects arrested in Peru

[Don]

People will do anything to make a buck.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8369674.stm

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 extracting their fat to sell it for $15,000 (£9,000) a litre.

Other suspected gang members, including two Italian nationals, remain at large.

Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in the region.

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 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.

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.

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.

[cheekymonkey]

People will do anything to make a buck.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8369674.stm

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 extracting their fat to sell it for $15,000 (£9,000) a litre.

Other suspected gang members, including two Italian nationals, remain at large.

Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in the region.

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 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.

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.

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.

Jesus H Fucking Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there no limit to the horrors of what some people will do for money?

[Peartree12249]

Man, I don't know what's creepier. The fact that people are being killed for their fat, or that some companies are actually putting it in cosmetics!

[bluejeangirl76]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

[Rick]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

[bluejeangirl76]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

Yes. In the head.

[Rick]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

Yes. In the head.

I'm right with you on that one.

[bluejeangirl76]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

Yes. In the head.

I'm right with you on that one.

Wow. I didn't expect you to agree with that. At least until you met me.

[Rick]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

Yes. In the head.

I'm right with you on that one.

Wow. I didn't expect you to agree with that. At least until you met me.

Good point. I'll leave your fat headedness on the undecided list until that happens.

[bluejeangirl76]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

I've seen pics, you are NOT fat.

Yes. In the head.

I'm right with you on that one.

Wow. I didn't expect you to agree with that. At least until you met me.

Good point. I'll leave your fat headedness on the undecided list until that happens.

it's ok. i have witnesses. they'll tell ya.

[Michigan Girl]

why kill? there are planty of people who'd give it over... they can have mine! i'll sit still.

lol....me too!! Free Lipo, just suck it all out!!

[rockinfayrose]

This story is equal parts gross & sick. Anyone see "Fight Club where the backstory involves using human fat to make soap?

[larryfromnextdoor]

This story is equal parts gross & sick. Anyone see "Fight Club where the backstory involves using human fat to make soap?

ive been thinking the same thing .. disgusting..

the strange thing.. after watching Fight Club , i knew how soap was invented..
wood ash.. its incredible it was ever invented..

[Saint John]

I bet tread mill sales in Peru are off the fucking charts.

[squirt1]

Treadmills? Now, thats funny !

[Sarah]

Man, I don't know what's creepier. The fact that people are being killed for their fat, or that some companies are actually putting it in cosmetics!

I actually just saw an episode of Dirty Jobs earlier where they were "recycling" cows that had died naturally. The remains go into soap, cosmetics, skincare products, and chicken feed.