Chinese national arrested with dangerous fungus and two charged

Two Chinese nationals were arrested after agents found samples of a fungus in the luggage of one of them that is classified as a potential “agro-terrorism” weapon due to the damage it can cause in multiple crops including wheat, barley, corn, and rice.

The fungus is Fusarium graminearum, a noxious fungus that causes “head blight” in those crops. Its toxins can cause vomiting, liver damage and reproductive problems in livestock and humans. It is said to be responsible for billions of dollars worth of crop losses each year.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, “I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country. The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called ‘Fusarium graminearum,’ which is an agroterrorism agent, into the U.S. to research at the University of Michigan, where she works. This fungus can cause a disease called ‘head blight,’ a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, causing significant health issues in both humans and livestock. It is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Evidence also indicates Jian had expressed loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and had received funding from the Chinese government for similar work on this pathogen in China.”

In a complaint unsealed June 3, officials said Jian, 34, worked at the University of Michigan, according to officials. Her boyfriend, Liu, 33, works at a Chinese university. Liu attempted to smuggle the fungus while visiting Jian, his girlfriend, in the U.S. Both were studying biological pathogens at the University of Michigan.

Customs and Border Patrol officers stopped Liu at Detroit Metropolitan Airport during an inspection and discovered the fungus hidden in his backpack. They seized his electronic devices and determined that he was not permitted to enter the United States. Jian was arrested and charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud. Liu was deported to China.

In his X post, Patel added, “This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences… putting American lives and our economy at serious risk.”

David Murray can be reached at [email protected].