Posted: Thursday, June 5, 2025. 3:51 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, have been charged with allegedly smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon, into the United States, the Department of Justice announced.
The fungus, known to damage wheat and grain crops, was brought through Detroit’s airport and allegedly intended for research at the University of Michigan, where Jian worked, ABC reports.
Liu initially denied carrying biological materials, but later admitted to hiding samples in his luggage to avoid detection, officials said.
Authorities said both individuals were conducting research funded by the Chinese government. The DOJ noted that Jian’s devices included evidence of her ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
“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 in the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgan said.
The University of Michigan stated it had no Chinese funding connected to the accused researchers and is cooperating with federal authorities.
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The post International News: 2 Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into U.S. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, June 5, 2025. 3:51 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, have been charged with allegedly smuggling Fusarium
The post International News: 2 Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into U.S. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
