British Man Arrested, Human Fetuses Smuggled for Sale
A British man has been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle roasted human fetuses into Taiwan. Chow Hok Kuen, 28, faces one year in prison and a fine of $63 for possessing the bodies, which are believed to play a part in black magic rituals.
According to the BBC, Kuen was arrested after an anonymous tip to police alleging that Kuen had answered an ad for purchasing and selling fetuses. "Some believers kept fetuses and bodies of babies wrapped in gold leaf at home to bring good luck," Lt. Col. Kittima Thongchai told the BBC. "They believe that young babies and fetuses have good spirit."
The fetuses were found in Kuen's luggage, all wrapped in gold leaf foil. The bodies were so dried up that police were unable to make any identification or even determine whether the bodies were those of fetuses or babies. "We have to send the bodies for forensic tests to identify whether they were fetuses, removed illegally by abortion, or corpses or babies," Thongchai noted.
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Kuen has been released on bail but still faces serious charges. The news of his arrest comes after the announcement of illegal pills made from the bodies of stillborn babies and fetuses were confiscated in South Korea. Officials in South Korea stated that they were cracking down on the use of human flesh in capsules.
One South Korean TV documentary reported that the pills were made after a complex process including the illegal buying of corpses, medical microwaving of the bodies, and grinding them into powder form. They have been sold as a "cure-all" in South Korea and China, though officials in both countries have agreed to investigate and ban the sale of such pills.
According to reports, Kuen could have made at least $40,000 from the sale of the bodies. The bodies allegedly were for a ritual known as Guman Thong, which is used in Taiwan to bring good luck and wealth.
