Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, both Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements, and visa fraud. The charges were announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., alongside Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI’s Detroit Division and Marty C. Raybon from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The allegations center on the smuggling of Fusarium graminearum into the United States by Jian and Liu. This fungus is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon due to its ability to cause significant economic damage to crops like wheat and maize while also posing health risks to humans and livestock.
Jian reportedly received funding from the Chinese government for her work on this pathogen in China. The complaint alleges that Jian’s electronics contain evidence of her membership in the Chinese Communist Party. Her boyfriend Liu allegedly smuggled the fungus through Detroit Metropolitan Airport for research purposes at a University of Michigan laboratory where Jian worked.
United States Attorney Gorgon emphasized the severity of these actions: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns.”
Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson stated: “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.”
Marty C. Raybon from CBP added: “Today’s criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy.”
Jian is scheduled for an initial court appearance in Detroit. It should be noted that a complaint is not evidence of guilt, and further investigation will determine whether felony indictments will be sought.
The case remains under investigation by the FBI and CBP.
