S. Korea Busts Smuggled Pills—Made of Baby Flesh

South Korean customs authorities have made a highly disturbing find: Thousands of capsules made of powdered baby flesh, believed by some to have healing powers. Smugglers have attempted to get nearly 17,500 such capsules into the country since August, officials say. Made in northeastern China, the pills contain diced flesh that has been dried on a stove. Concerned about diplomatic tension, officials wouldn't reveal who made the capsules or how they got to South Korea.

Smugglers said they didn't know the pills, purported to be stamina boosters, contained baby flesh, the AP reports. But instead of curing ills, the pills could have the opposite effect: They hold dangerous bacteria. The intended recipients of the tablets, transported via luggage and mail, were ethnic Koreans who have moved to South Korea after living in China; they wanted to take or share the capsules, officials said. They haven't punished anyone in the case because the quantity involved is small. China launched a probe into the products' manufacturing last year. (More South Korea stories.)