Chinese Nationals Indicted for Smuggling Dangerous Fungus: Agroterrorism Concerns
U.S. federal prosecutors charged two Chinese nationals with smuggling *Fusarium graminearum*, a fungus with potential agroterrorism applications, into the United States for research. The Department of Justice alleges the pair, Zunyong Liu and Yunqing Jian, conspired to circumvent import regulations, potentially jeopardizing U.S. agriculture
Federal prosecutors identified *Fusarium graminearum*, a fungus classified as a potential agroterrorism agent, as the dangerous biological pathogen smuggled into the U.S. by two Chinese nationals. This fungus, responsible for billions in global crop losses annually due to head blight, was allegedly brought in for research purposes
Fusarium graminearum, a fungus causing devastating head blight in crops and resulting in billions of dollars in global economic losses annually, is at the center of a US agroterrorism investigation. The pathogen's smuggling into the US highlights its potential for misuse as a biological weapon
Chinese nationals Zunyong Liu and Yunqing Jian face federal charges for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus classified as a potential bioweapon, into the U.S. Liu, a 34-year-old researcher, allegedly brought the pathogen into the country during a July 2024 visit to his girlfriend, Jian, 33, to conduct research at her University of Michigan laboratory. The couple is accused of conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud
Chinese researcher Zunyong Liu smuggled Fusarium graminearum, a fungus classified as a potential bioweapon, into the U.S. He admitted to the crime, stating he intended to conduct research on the pathogen at a University of Michigan lab where his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, worked. The couple now faces charges of conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud
University of Michigan declined to comment on the Fusarium graminearum smuggling allegations
Federal investigators uncovered electronic communications between Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu revealing discussions about shipping biological materials and research plans prior to Liu's arrival in the U.S., supporting charges of smuggling the dangerous Fusarium graminearum fungus
Chinese nationals Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu face federal charges for conspiracy, smuggling a dangerous fungus into the U.S., making false statements, and visa fraud. The smuggled pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, poses a potential agroterrorism threat
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Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said the pair’s actions “posed an imminent threat to public safety.”
Jian was expected to appear in court in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday. A judge appointed a public defender, who could not be immediately reached for comment, to represent Jian.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Donna Bryson and Jamie Freed)
Source: Original Article