Very disturbing news out of Peru is that gangs have been arrested for killing people to obtain fat. It is alleged that more than 60 people have been killed and their body fat content removed to be used in cosmetic procedures. Police sources say that so far three gang members have been arrested and have confessed to killing at least 5 people in the past few weeks.
Some of the gang members were arrested carrying the liquid fat in bottles. The suspects say that a gallon of fat is worth at least $60,000. The three arrested gang members have been charged with homicide, criminal conspiracy and a variety of other related charges.
Cosmetic surgeons do use fat injections to enhance lips or breasts. Fat is normally derived via liposuction from the abdomen or thigh and then injected into other parts of the body; the process is laborious and somewhat expensive. However, it is not known how large the fat cosmetic market is. Plastic surgeons do agree that other dermal fillers like restylane, perlane, or juvederm are somewhat expensive and fat is sometimes used as an alternative.
Both men and women in many South American countries widely undergo cosmetic procedures to feel and look well. It is also well known that South Americans spend more time under the knife for cosmetic procedures than any other nation.
The arrested men say that the fat was being sold to cosmetic companies in Europe. So far, the buyers of this fat remain unknown but investigators have started to follow up leads.
Investigators say that gangs would ambush an individual, rapidly cut of the head and then drain fat from the body into bottles.
Police are currently investigating death of more than 60 people in areas around Lima, Peru and believe these deaths are related to gangs killing for fat