Two Chinese citizens have been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle a dangerous fungus classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon into the United States.
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were accused of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the U.S., alongside making false statements and committing visa fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit.
The criminal complaint against them was unsealed following their arrest by the FBI, revealing serious allegations about their intentions.
Jian worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan, while Liu, her boyfriend, purportedly tried to bring the pathogen, identified as Fusarium graminearum, into the country for research purposes at her laboratory.
It was revealed that Jian received funding from the Chinese government specifically to study the pathogen, which raises significant national security concerns.
Investigators discovered that Liu’s iPhone contained an article titled “2018 Plant Pathogen Warfare Under Changing Climate Conditions,” as well as messages exchanged between the two discussing their plans to smuggle pathogens into the country.
Significantly, while Jian remains in the United States, it is believed Liu has returned to China, leaving her to contend with the legal ramifications alone.
During her court appearance, Jian appeared distressed, handcuffed and shackled, closing her eyes as the charges were read against her.
The research that both Liu and Jian were engaged in involved Fusarium graminearum, a fungus known for its detrimental effects on crops worldwide.
After being hired by the University of Michigan, Jian joined a lab focused on the Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction.
In July 2024, the FBI determined that Liu illegally transported the pathogen into the U.S. after traveling through Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).
During inquiries by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Liu allegedly lied regarding the purpose of his visit and the items he possessed.
In an inspection of his luggage, agents discovered a wad of tissues concealing a note in Chinese, a piece of filter paper with various circles drawn on it, and several plastic baggies containing small clumps of reddish plant material.
Liu eventually confessed to smuggling in Fusarium graminearum, stating that his goal was to clone strains of the fungus for his research at the university where Jian worked.
The complaint indicates that during an FBI interview, Jian falsely claimed she was unaware of Liu’s illegal activities, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
Communication records reviewed by federal agents revealed prior discussions between the two about smuggling additional biological materials into the U.S.
The background of the case highlights Liu’s prior position as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas for five years before moving to the University of Michigan in 2023.
The couple not only collaborated at both institutions but also co-authored academic articles concerning their work on the fungus.
Investigators further found evidence suggesting that Jian has smuggled biological materials into the U.S. in the past, alongside indications of her allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party, which reportedly financed her academic pursuits.
Statements from the FBI suggested they became aware of a prior incident in August 2022, where Jian allegedly arranged to smuggle seeds into the U.S. after traveling from Seoul.
Additionally, in another instance, Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a package containing filter paper with unidentified substances that had been shipped to Jian from a colleague in China.
Fusarium graminearum is a type of fungus that, while generally harmless, can produce toxins that pose risks to human, animal, and plant health.
This particular plant pathogen causes “head blight,” resulting in severe damage to crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and oats, leading to significant economic losses worldwide.
The fungus infects plants through their flowers and can contaminate seeds, resulting in widespread devastation to agricultural yields.
In humans and animals, health issues linked to this pathogen include symptoms such as vomiting, liver damage, and disruptions to reproductive systems.
Authorities are treating this case with the utmost seriousness given the implications for agricultural security and public health.
Both Jian and Liu now face legal consequences for their alleged actions which raise profound concerns about the potential use of pathogens as weapons in the context of agroterrorism.
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