Chinese Couple Charged in U.S. for Smuggling Deadly Fungus Linked to Agroterrorism Threat

University of Michigan postdoctoral fellow Yunqing Jian (pictured), 33, has been charged alongside Zunyong Liu, 34, for the sinister plot

A Chinese national couple has been criminally charged for allegedly smuggling a highly dangerous biological pathogen into the United States — a fungus capable of devastating crops and endangering both human and animal health.

Zunyong Liu, 34, was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in July at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with Fusarium graminearum in his possession. The fungus, known to cause “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, is considered by national security experts to be a potential agroterrorism weapon due to its capacity to destroy food supplies and produce toxins harmful to humans and livestock.

Messages revealed she had arranged for another associate from China to mail her a book with a plastic baggie of a substance hidden inside in early 2024

According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, Liu initially lied to authorities about the purpose of his visit and his knowledge of the biological material. He later admitted that he was transporting the pathogen for his girlfriend, 33-year-old Yunqing Jian, a researcher at the University of Michigan.

Investigators allege that Jian previously conducted work on Fusarium graminearum in China under government sponsorship and is a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party. Liu also holds a research position at a Chinese university focusing on the same pathogen. Court documents reveal that the couple had discussed shipping biological materials and laboratory research ahead of Liu’s arrival in the U.S., contradicting Jian’s claims that she was unaware of her boyfriend’s actions.

The fungus has the potential to be used as an “agroterrorism weapon,” according to the DOJ

Evidence further suggests that Jian may have been involved in smuggling biological material into the U.S. on previous occasions, raising concerns over repeated breaches of biosecurity protocols.

Federal prosecutors have charged the couple with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. called the case a serious national security threat, citing the dangerous nature of the smuggled pathogen and its potential use in agricultural sabotage.

“These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America,” Gorgon said. “They apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme.”

A pair of Chinese researchers have been charged in Michigan for allegedly smuggling a biological pathogen (pictured) into the US to study at the University of Michigan

The Department of Justice emphasized the pathogen’s risk, noting that toxins produced by Fusarium graminearum can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in both humans and animals. Globally, the fungus is responsible for billions of dollars in crop losses each year.

FBI officials said the case highlights the ongoing threat posed by the illegal importation of dangerous biological agents. “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,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office.

Liu attempted to smuggle the pathogen through Detroit airport so he could study it at the University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, worked, the complaint said

Jian is scheduled to make her initial court appearance in Detroit today. The University of Michigan issued a statement confirming that it received no Chinese government funding related to the accused individuals’ research and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing federal investigation.

“We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission,” the university stated.