Two Chinese researchers, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with smuggling a hazardous biological pathogen into the United States.
Authorities allege the pair conspired to bring Fusarium graminearum, a toxic fungus, into the country for study at the University of Michigan.
According to court documents, Liu attempted to smuggle the pathogen through Detroit Metropolitan Airport in his backpack last year.
His goal was to deliver the fungus to the university laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, was employed.
Fusarium graminearum Described as a Potential Agroterrorism Weapon
The FBI classified Fusarium graminearum as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” citing its ability to infect key crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice.
The pathogen’s toxins can cause severe health issues including vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in both humans and livestock.
These details were outlined in a scientific journal and included in FBI court filings made public in Detroit on Tuesday.
National Security Concerns and False Statements
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. called the allegations “of the gravest national security concerns,” highlighting that one of the accused is a “loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Liu was initially stopped at Detroit airport in July 2024 after authorities discovered suspicious red plant material in his backpack.
During questioning, Liu first denied knowing anything about the samples but later admitted they were intended for research purposes at the University of Michigan lab.
Authorities found a scientific article on his phone titled, “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions.”
Evidence of Coordination and University Lab Activity
Investigators uncovered messages exchanged between Liu and Jian, including one where Jian expressed regret over having to continue working for Liu shortly before his attempted entry to the U.S.
FBI agents visited Jian at the university lab in February 2025, where she denied assisting Liu with the pathogen.
However, messages from 2024 suggest she was already handling Fusarium graminearum at the lab before Liu’s arrest.
The university reportedly does not possess federal permits required to handle this dangerous pathogen.
Additionally, the FBI found a signed statement on Jian’s phone affirming her support for the Communist Party of China.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Extradition Challenges
Jian appeared in court Tuesday and was remanded to jail pending a bond hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Her assigned attorney declined to comment on her behalf.
Liu, meanwhile, was sent back to China after being denied entry.
Because the U.S. lacks an extradition treaty with China, his arrest remains unlikely unless he voluntarily returns to the United States.
The Seriousness of the Charges
The charges against Jian and Liu include conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud.
U.S. officials are treating the case as a significant threat to national security due to the dangerous nature of the pathogen and its potential misuse.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the extent of the smuggling operation and possible connections to foreign entities.