(WXYZ) — Two Chinese nationals were arrested by the FBI for allegedly smuggling a biological pathogen into the United States with the intent to do research on it at a University of Michigan laboratory.
Watch Faraz Javed's and Ryan Marshall's video reports below:
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 33-year-old Yunqing Jian and 34-year-old Zunyong Liu smuggled in a fungus called Fusarium graminearum that's toxins can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock. The fungus causes a disease of wheat, barley, maize and rice. The feds say it’s classified as a “potential agroterrorism weapon.”
Criminal Complaint by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
Jian, the complaint alleges, received government funding for her work with this pathogen in China. Jian’s boyfriend, Liu, allegedly works at a Chinese university where he also researches the same pathogen. According to the complaint, Liu later admitted to smuggling the fungus into America through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on July 27, 2024, to study it at a University of Michigan laboratory, where Jian worked.
The complaint reads in part: "After LIU’s smuggling of the biological pathogen, FBI Agents interviewed JIAN who falsely claimed that she knew nothing about LIU’s smuggling
or his intent to conduct research on the pathogen at the laboratory during his visit. In fact, an examination of electronic communications between LIU and JIAN shows that the two discussed the shipping of biological materials and research being done in the laboratory prior to LIU’s arrival. Electronic evidence also shows that JIAN has been involved in smuggling packages of biological material into the United States on prior occasions."
“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into in the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., in a statement.
Both the FBI and the U.S. Custom and Border Protection are investigating this case.
“Today’s criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans; especially when it involves a researcher from a major university attempting to clandestinely bring potentially harmful biological materials into the United States. This was a complex investigation involving CBP offices from across the country, alongside our federal partners. I’m grateful for their tireless efforts, ensuring our borders remain secure from all types of threats while safeguarding America’s national security interests,” said U.S. Custom and Border Protection, Director of Filed Operations Marty C. Raybon, in a statement.
The University of Michigan released the following statement:
"As one of the world’s leading public research institutions, the University of Michigan is dedicated to advancing knowledge, solving challenging problems and improving nearly every facet of the human experience. Our research enterprise across all three campuses is united in this commitment to serving the people of Michigan and the world.
"We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission. It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution."
Jian was due in federal court Tuesday afternoon.
