Latest news with #biologicalMaterial
Fox News
18 hours ago
- Fox News
Chinese student arrested for allegedly smuggling undeclared biological materials seen in new mugshot
Authorities have released a mugshot of the Chinese national accused of smuggling undeclared biological material into the United States. Chengxuan Han was initially scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday to face charges of smuggling goods into the U.S. and making false statements, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. However, her detention hearing was cut short after her court-appointed attorney requested more time due to "some additional matters pertinent to the issue of bond." Han is a citizen of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Ph.D. student at Wuhan's College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Han is the third Chinese national arrested this month for allegedly smuggling items into the US. University of Michigan post-doctoral research fellow Yunqing Jian and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, were arrested after allegedly bringing an "agroterrorism agent"m into the U.S. to study at a University of Michigan laboratory. From September 2024 to March 2025, authorities allege Han mailed four packages containing undeclared biological material to individuals working in the University of Michigan's laboratory, according to the criminal complaint. On Sunday, Han traveled to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Shanghai on a J1 visa and was subjected to an inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. During the search, Han allegedly told officers she did not mail packages to the laboratory, before eventually admitting she had sent them when pressed by authorities. Han initially told CBP officers the packages contained plastic cups – not petri dishes – and a book, according to court documents. "Biological samples, such as plasmids, are often placed within a book and manifested only as a book for shipment, as a means of concealment from U.S. Customs," the complaint said. Han's attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Upon being confronted by officials, Han allegedly confessed to sending packages containing roundworm-related biomaterials. CBP officers also discovered the content on Han's electronic devices had been deleted three days before she arrived in the U.S. Following the inspection, the FBI and Homeland Security officials spoke with Han. During the conversation, Han allegedly admitted to previously making false statements to CBP officers and acknowledged she sent the packages. "The FBI has zero tolerance for those who violate federal law and remains unwavering in our mission to protect the American people," Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said in a statement. "The alleged smuggling of biological materials by Chengxuan Han is a direct threat to public safety and national security, and it severely compromises the integrity of our nation's research institutions." The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. "The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China—to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory—is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security," United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon said in a statement. "The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions." Han is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on June 13. Han's arrest came one day before 42-year-old Shenghua Wen pleaded guilty to federal charges after authorities revealed he spent years exporting ammunition, firearms and other military items to North Korea, in coordination with North Korean government officials. Wen, a Chinese citizen, came to the U.S. in 2012 and remained in the country illegally despite his student visa expiring the following year. Prior to moving to the U.S., Wen met with officials from North Korea's government at the country's embassy in China, where he was directed to obtain the items on behalf of North Korea. Nearly 10 years later, North Korean government officials directed Wen via an online messaging app to procure firearms and sensitive technology to be smuggled to North Korea through China. In 2023, Wen shipped at least three containers of firearms from a California port to China, with North Korea as the ultimate destination, by filing false export information to conceal the contents of the containers. Wen used money from a North Korean contact to purchase many of the firearms in Texas before driving them back to California to be shipped, according to the DOJ. By December 2023, one of the shipments departed the Port of Long Beach and arrived in Hong Kong one month later, with it eventually arriving in North Korea. Wen also obtained sensitive technology to send to North Korea, according to prosecutors. The technology consisted of a handheld broadband receiver that detects known, unknown, illegal, disruptive or interfering transmissions and a chemical threat identification device. He also looked to acquire a civilian airplane engine and thermal imaging system to be mounted on a drone or aircraft for target identification. The entire scheme cost North Korean officials approximately $2 million in wire transfers to Wen, with the funds being used to procure firearms and other goods for the government. Wen faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for both charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Third Chinese scientist arrested after smuggling ‘biological pathogens' into US from Wuhan after ‘agroterrorism' probe
A THIRD Chinese scientist has been charged for allegedly smuggling "biological material" into the United States. It is the second such case within a matter of days after a University of Michigan researcher and her boyfriend were charged for allegedly bringing a toxic fungus into the country. 5 5 5 In the latest case, Han Chengxuan was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Sunday. Cops claim she sent four packages from China to the States that contained "biological material related to round worms". These packages were sent to people linked to the University of Michigan lab between September 2024 and March 2025. Han has been charged with smuggling goods into the United States. She initially denied sending the parcels at all, court documents claim. Han would then insist they contained plastic cups rather the petri dishes before ultimately admitting to sending the samples, the documents add. They had reportedly been collected during her PhD research in the Chinese city of Wuhan. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: "Han is alleged to have sent four packages to the U.S. from China containing a biological material related to round worms — addressed to individuals associated with a lab at the University of Michigan. "Upon arriving at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 8, Han allegedly made false statements to federal officials regarding the packages she had previously mailed — and had erased her electronic device just days prior. "In a follow up interview with FBI and ICE HSI agents, Han admitted to sending the packages and lying about their contents. China floods sea bases with nuke bombers, terrifying satellite pics show - as US warns Xi could SEIZE Taiwanese islands "This case is part of a broader effort from the FBI and our federal partners to heavily crack down on similar pathogeon smuggling operations, as the CCP works relentlessly to undermine America's research institutions." It comes after two other Chinese scientists were charged last week for allegedly trying to smuggle a toxic fungus into the States. Researchers Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34 are facing charges of smuggling goods, conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements. They are alleged to have tried to bring Fusarium graminearum into the country - which can cause severe damage to livestock and crops. 5 5 Authorities claim the fungus could be used as a "potential agroterrorism weapon". Prosecutors say Liu attempted to smuggle it through Detroit Airport so it could be studied at a University of Michigan laboratory. Jian, who is Liu's girlfriend, worked at the lab according to prosecutors. The university did not have the necessary federal permits to handle this pathogen. A statement from the university says the institution has not had "funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals". Officials further allege that Jian is a Chinese Communist Party member, and that her research on the fungus in China got Chinese government funding. Liu allegedly lied about trying to bring the pathogen into the country in July 2024 before later admitting it. While Jian has been arrested in the US, Liu was sent back to China at the airport - so his arrest is unlikely unless he returns. Following Jian's arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: "This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences... putting American lives and our economy at serious risk." Who are Jian Yunqing and Liu Zunyong? Jian Yunqing and Liu Zunyong are alleged to have smuggled a toxic fungus into the United States. Prosecutors claim Liu had attempted to bring the pathogen into the country through Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Officials claim the intention was to smuggle the fungus in to be studied at a University of Michigan lab - where Liu's girlfriend Jian worked. It is further alleged that Jian received Chinese government funding for her research on the fungus in China. She has since been arrested, but Liu's detention is unlikely unless he returns to the States as there is no extradition agreement between the US and China. According to the FBI, Fusarium graminearum is a "potential agroterrorism weapon" that can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.
