Chinese national scholars accused of smuggling biological materials into US
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Three Chinese national scientists have been charged with conspiring to smuggle biological material into the United States while working in a university laboratory, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday.
Authorities alleged that scientists misrepresented themselves to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to import roundworm-related materials from China under the “guise” of research at the University of Michigan.
“Attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. he said.
The agency identified the suspects as Xu Bai (28), Fengfan Zhang (27) and Zhiyong Zhang (30), who participated in J-1 visa academic exchange programs.
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Three Chinese citizens have been charged with conspiring to smuggle supplies into the United States, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
These charges stem from a broader set of allegations of abuse in U.S. academic programs, particularly involving international researchers, according to U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgen.
“These three men are part of a long and alarming line of criminal activity by Chinese nationals under the guise of the University of Michigan,” Gorgen said in a statement, also thanking the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and CBP for assisting with the case.
Three scientists conducting research at the university’s Shawn Xu Laboratory in Ann Arbor allegedly received a large shipment of confidential biological material related to roundworms from a Chinese PhD. Student at Chengxuan Han, Wuhan, China.
Khan had previously worked at the university and was convicted of smuggling and making false statements before being deported from the United States.
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Chengxuan Han pleaded no contest to three counts of smuggling and one count of perjury and was deported from the United States (Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office)
Following Khan’s dismissal, the university launched an internal investigation. When the three scientists refused to cooperate, they were terminated, making them eligible for deportation.
Ahead of an Oct. 16 flight to China from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, CBP stopped the men for inspection. Zhiyong Zhang allegedly gave false information about Han, while Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang admitted to receiving packages even after Han was taken away.
“This case underscores the vital importance of protecting the American people and addressing vulnerabilities in foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement. he said. “Educational institutions must improve their admission procedures to prevent abuse that could pose a risk to national security.
“I commend the ICE HSI agents and officers who work tirelessly to protect our nation and uphold the rule of law every day.”
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Bags containing the dangerous fungus fusarium graminearum were seized by Border Patrol. (FBI)
FBI Director Kash Patel added that such “academic research cannot excuse illegal activity,” while CBP Field Operations Director Marty C. Raybon added: “Foreign actors continue to seek to exploit vulnerabilities, including our nation’s higher education system, to advance their own agendas.”
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Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, reiterated that the agencies are “committed to protecting the American people.”
“The FBI will not tolerate any attempt to exploit our nation’s institutions, whether higher education or not, for unlawful purposes,” he added.
HSI, FBI and CBP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
