Name: Inside Story of the Chinese Scholar Arrested for Smuggling Crop-Killing Fungus in the US | Facts Matter
Uploaded: 2025-11-07T18:52:48.000Z
Description: On June 3, federal agents arrested a Chinese researcher who was working at the University of Michigan. The scholar was allegedly part of a scheme to smuggle a biological pathogen into the United States.

Roman Balmakov is a Reporter with The Epoch Times and host of the show, “Facts Matter.” He has travelled around the country (as well as overseas) covering protests, riots, and elections. He is also the producer of many Epoch Times’ commercials, both on TV and social media.

Roman Balmakov

NTD Plus

Shows

Facts Matter investigates complex issues, and then presents the findings in a way that is easy to understand. We are free from the influence of any government, corporation, or political party. Our goal is to bring you accurate information so that you can form your own opinion, stay informed, and stay free.

Roman Balmakov is a reporter with The Epoch Times and host of the show “Facts Matter.” He has travelled around the country and overseas in his coverage of protests, riots, and elections. He is also the producer of many Epoch Times’ commercials, both on TV and social media.

Facts Matter

‘Thank You Leader’: California Mayor Pleads Guilty to Working as CCP Agent

115 People Get Sick Aboard Cruise Ship in Norovirus Outbreak: CDC

Supreme Court Bans Racial Gerrymandering; Districts to Be Remade Colorblind

Chinese Man Arrested, Sentenced to Prison for Trying to Smuggle 2,200 Ants Out of Kenya

New Bill Would Create ‘Dark Skies’ Rules in NY, Force State to Go Dark After 11PM

Federal Judge Strips Chinese Couple of US Citizenship for Stealing Sensitive Secrets

2 Middle School Brothers’ ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Hoodie Case Goes to Supreme Court

After Virginia Bill Passes, Compact to Eliminate Electoral College is Now 82 Percent Complete

ATF’s ‘Inconclusive’ Ballistics Report Being Used by Defense; Court Docs Reveal Alleged Hand-Written Confession by Robinson

Supreme Court Rules for Christian Counselor: Finds Bans on ‘Conversion Therapy’ Unconstitutional

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

News

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Court Issues Order in Trump Case, Delays Trial Until After Election | Facts Matter

The Distortion of Climate Data Using ‘Computer Models’ | Facts Matter

How ‘Green Policies’ Are Making It Harder to Fight Wildfires | Facts Matter

Supreme Court Justice Issues a Rare Letter to Congress Leaders About Jan. 6 Case | Facts Matter

Weaponization of Water Rights Is Squeezing Farmers Off Their Land | Facts Matter

$80 Million to Install Election Workers at the Local Level | Facts Matter

Supreme Court Rules 9–0 Against the Pentagon | Facts Matter

Rise of ‘Scientism’ and the ‘Junk’ Climate Models Used by Government to Take Farmers’ Land | Facts Matter

State Supreme Court Ruled Drop Boxes Are Illegal, but Liberal Justices Poised to Overturn | Facts Matter

After FDA Approval, States Move to Ban Lab-Grown Meat From Sale | Facts Matter

The Man Working to Change the US Constitution to Enable a 3rd Trump Term | Facts Matter

Traces of Abortion Pill Active Chemicals Found in US Drinking Water: Study | Facts Matter

Stripping Power From Federal Agencies: Interview With Winner of Supreme Court Case | Facts Matter

Andrew Klavan on DC Siphoning Off America’s Wealth, and the ‘Make-Believe Value’ of Washington | Facts Matter

KT McFarland on Rising Global Populism, ‘Terrorist’ Designation for Cartels, Ending the Ukraine–Russia Quagmire | Facts Matter

Vem Miller Debunks ‘3rd Assassin’ Claim | Facts Matter

Inside China’s Secretive Labor Camps: One Family’s Fight Against Communist Oppression

The Federal Plan to Monetize Sunlight, Bee Pollination, and Photosynthesis on Your Land | Facts Matter

Exposing the UN’s Secret Plan Fueling the Migrant Crisis | Facts Matter

On June 3, federal agents arrested a Chinese researcher who was working at the University of Michigan.

The scholar was allegedly part of a scheme to smuggle a biological pathogen into the United States.

Specifically, she and her boyfriend were allegedly trying to smuggle in a type of fungus that can be used to target food crops here in America (such as wheat, barley, and rice). This particular fungus would have the effect of absolutely decimating these crops. In fact, the feds characterized this alleged plot as a form of “agroterrorism,” or agricultural terrorism.

Furthermore, after looking into it, it turns out that this latest incident doesn’t appear to be the couple’s first time smuggling in viral pathogens.

Now that the FBI’s indictment has been unsealed in federal court, let’s go through the details of it together.

Latest

Paywall Related

Free for Subscribers

Conversations on current and trending topics.

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.