Three Chinese nationals have been charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States and with making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers.
The development adds to an expanding investigation into what officials describe as a troubling pattern of illegal activity originating from a University of Michigan research laboratory.
The University of Michigan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NTD News.Xu Bai, 28, Zhang Fengfan, 27, and Zhang Zhiyong, 30, all holders of J-1 research visas, face serious federal charges stemming from their work in the laboratory of Xianzhong Xu at the university, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Xu and Zhang Fengfan are accused of conspiring to import biological materials, while Zhang Zhiyong is charged with providing false information to federal agents.
Shipments of Biological Materials
The investigation centers on concealed shipments containing biological materials related to roundworms that were sent from China to the United States in 2024 and 2025 by Han Chengxuan, a doctoral student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China. Han allegedly orchestrated the smuggling operation before traveling to the United States in June to work in the University of Michigan laboratory.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Han was arrested after she arrived in the United States, where she pleaded no contest to three counts of smuggling and one count of false statements, was sentenced, and removed from the country.
Han’s arrest occurred around the same time as charges were laid against Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, who were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements, and visa fraud.The FBI arrested Jian in connection with allegations related to her and Liu’s smuggling into America a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon.
According to the complaint, Jian received Chinese state funding for her work on this pathogen in China. The complaint also alleged that Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was further alleged that Liu works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America so that he could conduct research on it at a laboratory at the University of Michigan, where his girlfriend worked.
Review of Laboratory
In the roundworm case, after Han's apprehension and deportation, the University of Michigan launched an internal review of the Xianzhong Xu laboratory and required the three defendants to participate. When all three refused to attend mandatory meetings or to cooperate with the investigation, the university terminated their employment, making them eligible for removal from the country.
During the investigation, federal agents learned that the defendants had attempted to flee the country. They initially purchased airline tickets departing Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Oct. 20 bound for China, according to a criminal complaint. When agents attempted to find them at their homes and other locations on Oct. 10, they rebooked their flights for Oct. 15 and then arranged connections through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport for an early morning departure on Oct. 16. The defendants did not appear for their Detroit flight but instead traveled to New York to catch their international connection.
During customs inspection at JFK, Zhang Zhiyong made false statements regarding Han, while Bai and Zhang Fengfan admitted to receiving packages from Han that arrived even after her arrest and removal from the United States.
Outside of the five individuals reported above, two other Chinese nationals linked to the university have also been charged with federal offences in recent months, reports The Detroit News.'Malicious Agenda'
Federal officials have called the case a systematic exploitation of American academic institutions.
"Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of 'research' is a serious crime that threatens America's national and agricultural security,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America's generosity to advance a malicious agenda."
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr. highlighted the concerning scope of the problem. "At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan. This is a threat to our collective security," he said.
A media release from the House's Select Committee on the CCP said that the investigation was prompted by the committee’s chairman, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich), who sent a letter with House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas).“These new charges reveal an organized network of scholars engaged in illegal activity on Michigan’s campus. It is part of a broader, coordinated campaign targeting universities across the country, driven by China’s efforts to acquire American technology,” Moolenaar said.
Law enforcement officials stressed their commitment to preventing future exploitation of American institutions.
"These charges show the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate our laws, and that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "ICE HSI, the FBI, and CBP are committed to defending the homeland and stopping any illegal smuggling into our country."