A postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan and her boyfriend have been charged with smuggling a biological pathogen that poses significant risks to agriculture into the United States.
The charges against Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, include conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling goods into the country, and making false statements to investigators, according to federal documents unsealed on Tuesday.
The pathogen in question is Fusarium graminearum, a fungus responsible for causing severe diseases in crops and resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.
Federal authorities exposed the situation when Liu attempted to enter the U.S. through Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered the dangerous material hidden within his backpack.
Officers found small clumps of reddish plant material packed into four plastic bags concealed inside a wad of tissues.
According to the complaint, Liu initially claimed he was unaware of the contents of his bag and suggested that someone had planted the items there without his knowledge. However, he subsequently altered his story, admitting to intentionally concealing the samples in a manner designed to evade detection.
Liu reportedly confessed that he was aware of the restrictions regarding the importation of such materials and had strategically hidden the samples to further his research upon arriving in the United States.
Investigators indicated that Liu had plans to utilize the facilities at the University of Michigan’s laboratory for studying the pathogen.
Contrarily, Jian distanced herself from the incident, denying any involvement or knowledge of Liu’s actions during an interrogation.
However, a deeper examination of their electronic devices revealed prior correspondence on WeChat from 2022, in which they discussed smuggling seeds into the U.S., further complicating their defense.
In one message, Liu detailed his method of hiding the smuggled items in his shoes, to which Jian responded affirmatively, providing insight into their collaborative efforts.
At a federal court hearing on Tuesday, Jian was ordered to remain in custody, as prosecutors deemed her a flight risk. Liu, on the other hand, was barred from entering the U.S. and currently remains at large.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, highlighting the national security implications of their alleged actions.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon expressed serious concerns over the situation, remarking on the implications of the individuals involved, one of whom is described as a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while acknowledging the situation, stated that it was not aware of the specifics of the case. The ministry reiterated that the Chinese government expects its citizens abroad to adhere to local laws while also protecting their legitimate rights and interests.
In response to the allegations, the University of Michigan released a statement condemning any activities that endanger public safety or undermine national security.
The university clarified that it has not received funding from the Chinese government concerning the research conducted by the individuals involved and affirmed its commitment to cooperating with federal law enforcement as the investigation continues.
The case highlights significant concerns regarding the security of biological materials and the potential consequences of unauthorized importation, reflecting broader tensions surrounding international research collaboration and national safety.
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