In a disturbing revelation, two Chinese nationals have been charged with smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States.
Officials warned the plot could have had catastrophic consequences for American agriculture and public health.
Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34, stand accused of conspiring to bring Fusarium graminearum, a fungus classified in scientific literature as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” into the country.
The fungus is notorious for causing head blight in staple crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice, leading to billions of dollars in economic losses globally.
Its toxins can also cause severe health issues in humans and livestock, including liver damage and reproductive defects.
Jian, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan since 2022, is a documented member of the Chinese Communist Party.
Her electronic devices contained information affirming her loyalty to the CCP.
Liu, who works at a Chinese university, initially denied but later admitted to smuggling the fungus through Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024.
The couple intended to conduct unauthorized research on the pathogen at the University of Michigan, despite lacking the necessary federal permits.
“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, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office.
National Security Implications
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the gravity of the situation: “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.”
The University of Michigan has stated that it did not receive any Chinese government funding for the couple’s research and is cooperating fully with federal authorities.
Jian is scheduled to appear in federal court in Detroit.
This incident is not isolated. Just last week, another Chinese national affiliated with the University of Michigan was charged with illegally voting in the U.S.
IT’S TIME TO START PROCECUTING THESE CRIMINAALS AS THE TERRIORIST THAT THEY ARE AND THEN SEND THEM TO GONTONAMO.
Great idea, Dennis! The problem in the past during similar situations is that U.S. officials have demonstrated a lack of intestinal fortitude. In other words, these officials are just plain gutless! I don’t know, maybe because they were liberal progressives. Maybe we’ll find out this time.
How many more nationwide?
Check colleges & ” Chinatowns” nationwide
When I think of the kind of damage the Wuhan Lab created globally, the number of fatalities I can only suggest that these two bio-terrorists be executed. That is what the Chinese would do to our people if they did this. This is why all U.S. farmland owned by Chinese (CCP) interests MUST be confiscated and every farmland sale must be seriously vetted. China cannot be trusted in anything they do. If the U.S. doesn’t take steps to recover the land so far. we are really really stupid. Not American people but government officials willing to harm America for a buck.