Chinese couple charged with smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S.

Chinese couple charged with smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S.


Theodore Levin United States Courthouse, Detroit Federal Building, Detroit, Michigan on August 25, 2010

Carol M. Highsmith | Buyenlarge | Archive Photos | Getty Images

A Chinese researcher in Michigan and her boyfriend have been charged with smuggling a biological pathogen that “can cause devastating diseases in crops” into the United States, according to federal charging documents unsealed Tuesday.

Yunqing Jian, 33, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with multiple counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling goods into the country and making false statements to investigators, the complaint says.

Liu was entering the country at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July when border officers found the pathogen, a fungus known as Fusarium graminearum, in his backpack, according to the complaint. The small clumps of reddish plant material were discovered in four plastic baggies tucked into a wad of tissues.

Liu and his girlfriend researched the pathogen as university students in China, the complaint says. Since 2023, Jian had been working at the University of Michigan’s Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction Laboratory.

Liu initially told the officers that he did not know what the materials were and that someone must have planted them in his bag, but he then told a different story, the complaint says.

“Liu stated that he intentionally hid the samples in his backpack because he knew there were restrictions on the importation of the materials,” the complaint says. “Liu confirmed that he had intentionally put the samples in a wad of tissues so CBP Officers would be less likely to find and confiscate them, and he could continue his research in the United States.”

According to the complaint, Liu also said he planned to use the University of Michigan laboratory to conduct research on the pathogen. When investigators spoke to Jian, she denied knowing anything about Liu’s smuggling or plans to research the pathogen, the complaint says.

But an examination of Liu’s and Jian’s electronic devices uncovered WeChat messages from 2022 in which they discussed smuggling seeds into the United States.

“I put them in my Martin boots,” Liu wrote, according to the complaint. “In a small bag. The ziplock bag. Very small.”

“That’s good,” Jian replied, the complaint says. “Just put it in your shoes.”

At a federal court hearing Tuesday afternoon, a judge ordered Jian to remain behind bars after prosecutors described her as a flight risk. Liu, who was not allowed into the country after the pathogen was allegedly discovered in his backpack, remains at large.

McNeal: We've always known the U.S.-China relationship is a long-term strategic competition

The FBI Counterintelligence Division conducted the investigation.

“Fusarium graminearum is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year,” the complaint says. “The toxins produced by Fusarium graminearum cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in livestock and humans.”

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said in a statement: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals — including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party — are of the gravest national security concerns.”

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The University of Michigan said it condemns “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,” the university added in a statement. “We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution.”



Source

UK to create new water regulator in plan that gives hope for stricken Thames Water
World

UK to create new water regulator in plan that gives hope for stricken Thames Water

Britain said on Monday it would overhaul water regulation to better protect the environment, investors and consumers, after an official report recommended a new structure that could also ease up on pollution fines to prevent companies from collapsing. The privatised water industry in England and Wales has provoked public fury by releasing record levels of […]

Read More
Musk’s X refuses to hand over data in ‘politically-motivated’ French investigation
World

Musk’s X refuses to hand over data in ‘politically-motivated’ French investigation

Elon Musk’s X on Monday denied allegations made by French authorities as part of a criminal investigation into alleged data tampering, adding that it would not submit to the prosecutor’s demand to hand over data. X’s global government affairs account said the French investigation, which ramped up this month, is “politically-motivated” and designed to “restrict […]

Read More
U.S. doubles down on Aug. 1 tariffs deadline as EU battles for a deal
World

U.S. doubles down on Aug. 1 tariffs deadline as EU battles for a deal

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner for Republican Senators at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 18, 2025. Photo by Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post via Getty Images The U.S. has signaled it will not let up on its Aug. 1 deadline for higher tariffs on the European Union as the bloc […]

Read More