Detroit, June 4, 2025 — Two Chinese nationals have been formally charged in the United States for allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen with the potential to devastate crops and impact food safety.
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are facing multiple federal charges including conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on Tuesday.
At the center of the case is Fusarium graminearum, a highly infectious fungus known to cause Fusarium head blight — a disease that affects major staple crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice. Not only can the pathogen lead to massive agricultural losses, but it also produces toxins harmful to humans and animals. When consumed through contaminated food, it can cause vomiting and serious liver damage.
According to the criminal complaint, Liu attempted to smuggle the fungus through Detroit Metropolitan Airport with the intention of studying it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, is employed. Authorities say the pathogen was not declared and was improperly transported, bypassing the strict biosecurity protocols required for such hazardous materials.
“This isn’t just a breach of federal import regulations—it’s a serious threat to U.S. agriculture and public health,” a senior federal investigator said. “Introducing this fungus into American soil, even unintentionally, could have severe economic and food supply consequences.”
Jian and Liu are currently in federal custody pending further legal proceedings. Investigators are working to determine whether this act was part of a larger network or a one-off incident tied to academic research.
The Department of Agriculture and the FBI’s biosecurity division are collaborating on the investigation. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan has confirmed it is cooperating fully with authorities and has launched an internal review of lab protocols and personnel.
This case underscores growing concerns about biosecurity and the risks associated with the unauthorized importation of foreign biological agents. If convicted, the suspects face significant prison time and deportation.
As the legal process unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between global research collaboration and national security in the era of high-stakes biotechnology.