The FBI has arrested two Chinese nationals on charges of allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen described as a “potential agroterrorism weapon” into the United States,.
Prosecutors claim it is another brazen attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate American institutions and attack the nation’s food supply.
Yunqing Jian, 33, a University of Michigan lab researcher and alleged Chinese Communist Party member, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34, face serious federal charges including conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud after authorities say they attempted to bring the deadly Fusarium graminearum fungus into America.
Prosecutors describe the allegations as a chilling example of how the CCP is systematically deploying operatives to American universities to conduct biological warfare research that could devastate the U.S. agricultural economy and poison millions of Americans.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. didn’t mince words about the severity of the alleged threat.
“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” Gorgon said in a statement.
According to prosecutors, Liu was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024, allegedly attempting to smuggle four small bags of reddish plant material labeled CP11, CP12, CP13, and CP14. When initially questioned, authorities say Liu lied about his visit to the U.S. and his knowledge of the pathogen before finally admitting he was bringing the noxious fungus to his girlfriend for research purposes.
The Fusarium graminearum fungus is no ordinary plant pathogen – prosecutors describe it as a biological weapon capable of mass destruction. The Department of Justice confirmed that “this noxious fungus causes ‘head blight,’ a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.”
The toxins reportedly produced by this fungus “cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock” – making it what authorities call a perfect weapon for targeting both America’s food supply and the health of its citizens.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stark warning about the broader implications of this case.
“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,” Patel said.
The investigation allegedly revealed the sophisticated nature of this Chinese operation. According to the criminal complaint, Jian received “Chinese government funding for her work” on this deadly pathogen while in China, and electronic evidence allegedly shows “her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.”
Meanwhile, Liu allegedly “works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen,” indicating what prosecutors claim was a coordinated effort between Chinese government institutions and their embedded operatives in American universities.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson described how the Chinese operatives allegedly exploited America’s open academic system.
“These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety,” they said.
The investigation allegedly uncovered evidence that this wasn’t an isolated incident. Authorities claim the couple had “discussed the shipping of biological materials and research being done in the laboratory” before Liu’s arrival, and there’s evidence suggesting Jian has allegedly been “involved in smuggling packages of biological material into the United States on prior occasions.”
The University of Michigan denied the allegations, and in a statement, the university claimed it received “no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals” and promised to “cooperate with federal law enforcement.”
The university added: “We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission.” However, the allegations that Chinese operatives were able to use university facilities for potential bioweapons research raises serious questions about the institution’s security protocols and oversight.
Perhaps most disturbing, authorities noted that the University of Michigan “does not have federal permits to handle Fusarium graminearum,” meaning this dangerous pathogen was allegedly being researched in facilities that weren’t even authorized to work with it.
Patel confirmed the arrest and explained the deadly potential of the allegedly smuggled pathogen.
“This fungus can cause a disease called ‘head blight,’ a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, causing significant health issues in both humans and livestock,” Patel said. “It is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.”
Jian appeared in federal court in Detroit and was remanded to jail pending a bond hearing, while Liu remains in China. The U.S. lacks an extradition treaty with China, making his arrest uncertain unless he voluntarily returns to face the charges.
Gibson praised the investigative work that allegedly stopped this particular threat.
“Thanks to the exceptional investigative efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, in close cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations these dangerous activities have been effectively halted.”
As the Department of Justice noted: “A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.”