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Two Chinese citizens accused of smuggling of biological material in the United States appeared on Friday, as the Federal Authorities are fighting for them to detain when they say they are concerned about “national security”.
University of Michigan Postdoctoral research fellow Yunqing Jian and Chengxuan Han, a student at the University of Huazhong Science and Technology, were instructed to remain in federal custody as their individual cases continue.
During the hearing, Han, accused of sending packets containing biological materials, became visible emotionally at the University of Michigan University, and was observed for tears when she learned that her initial hearing was directed to a late date.
At a short arrest meeting on Friday, Han’s lawyer said her client agreed with the detention without prejudice and would remain in federal custody.
Chenqxan Han appears in the Federal Court of Detention Hearing in Michigan on Friday, June 13, 2025. Han, a Chinese citizen, is accused of smuggling biological material in the United States. (Carole tomb)
Yunqing Jian appears in the Federal Court of Michigan for a hearing of detention on Friday, June 13, 2025. Jian was believed to have conspired with his friend Zunyong Liu to carry a toxic crop killing pathogen to the United States. (Carole tomb)
“Ms. Han is considered innocent, and we are waiting for further litigation to comment even more,” her lawyer said earlier in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The initial hearing of Han was initially determined on June 23, but was then re -planning to June 30. Both Han and Jian will remain in federal custody until the next hearing.
Jian and her guy, Chinese researcher Zunyong Liu, were accused this month after they first tried to carry Fusarium Graminearum, a “potential weapon of agroterorism”, which in August 2022 could have a dangerous impact on health in the country, prosecutors said.
“These Chinese citizens’ potential activities, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are the heaviest national security problems,” said a US lawyer in Jerome Gorgon, Michigan’s eastern region. “These two aliens are instructed to make a fungal smuggling described as“ potential Agroterorism weapon“To the heart of America, where they were apparently intended to use the University of Michigan to continue their scheme.”
Han was also arrested in June after possibly sent four packages containing undeclared biological material Persons working at the University of Michigan from September 2024 to March 2025, according to a criminal case.
The Chinese student in the US had a friend Fusarium Graminearum, which she had in the textbook, FBI reports. (FBI)
In the case of Jiana and Liu, Wechat’s conversation may have revealed the ways to carry the substance, and Jian eventually decided to postpone bags in her shoes.
The fungus causes a “blower”, which is characterized as a disease of wheat, corn, rice and barley, and according to the Department of Justice, it is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide. If people take it, the substance can cause vomiting, liver damage and “reproductive defects in humans and livestock”.
On Friday’s arrest, hearing lasted about two minutes, with Jiana appearing in an orange outfit and handcuffing around his waist. The federal judge postponed the hearing until next Friday thanks to Jian’s request to seek a private adviser.
According to a criminal case, Jian initially received the Chinese government’s funding for her work on the pathogen while studying at the University of Michigan, and was probably lied to her student visa application for her education plans in US prosecutors, claiming that Jian first tried to bring the fungus to the US Graminearum in 2024.
Jian’s lawyer immediately did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request to comment.
Balzins confiscated by Border Patrol contain dangerous fusarium graminearum. (FBI)
“There are usually no problems,” Jian said in a report to a third party. “You can be safe. I’ve sent them in advance.”
The latest smuggling attempt, possibly in July 2024, when Liu arrived at the Detroit metropolitan airport to visit Jian, according to the authorities. After landing, Liu noted US customs and border protection (CBP) and then searched.
Authorities were thought to have discovered “tissue wool wrinkled in a small pocket in a Liu backpack,” according to the oath.
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“Audi hid in a Chinese note, a round filter paper with a string of lines, and four transparent plastic baggains with small reddish plant material,” the statement said.
The filter was sent to the FBI inspection, which revealed that it contains Fusarium Graminearum, according to the authorities. Plastic baggy, believed, also wore the material that the fungus had contaminated, the authorities said.
“In addition, the laboratory identified 10 separate samples from the filter paper,” the oath states. “Each sample around it had a circle, and each circle was marked with a code containing letters and/or numbers. FBI laboratory Contains Fusarium Graminearum DNA sequence. “
Liu, believed to have denied the wearing of the pathogen, but later admitted that it was passed on to the US, officials said. He believed to be the authorities that the couple plans to use university laboratory research.
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Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are accused of conspiracy, false statements, fraud and goods smuggling in the US (Istock)
“These individuals used their access to the laboratory authorities at local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that led to an inevitable threat to public safety,” said Cheyvorya Gibson, a special representative of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
Both Jian and Liu are charged with conspiracies, false statements, visas and smuggling of goods in the US
A Chinese student arrested for possible smuggling of undeclared biological materials
“As one of the world’s leading public research institutions, the University of Michigan is devoted to improving knowledge, solving challenging problems and improving almost every person’s experience,” University previously said in a statement.
“We strongly condemn all actions trying to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university’s critical public mission.
Hans also came to the Federal Court on Friday. According to Fox News Digital, she has been charged with smuggling of goods in the US and making false statements.
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Chengxuan Han faces federal accusations in case of smuggling. (Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities claim that Han, Ph.D. A student at Wuhan College of Life Science and Technology at the University of Huazhong Science and Technology, the employees of the University of Michigan, sent four packages containing undeclared biological materials.
Han was arrested on Sunday going to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Shanghai to J1’s visa. After her arrival, Han was searched by CBP officers and then faced the packages.
According to a criminal case, Han was believed to have denied sending packages, but later admitted that they had sent them after the force of the authorities. Initially, Han told CBP officers that the packages contain only plastic mugs – not Petri dishes – and the book, according to court documents.
The CBP agent -confiscated package may have had a biological sample of plasmids sent by Chengxuan Han. (Department of Justice)
It is claimed that Hana recognized the sending of packaging that had round worm -related biomaterials telling FBI and domestic security officials that she initially lied to CBP agents. Officers also found that Han’s electronic devices were destroyed their content three days before her arrival in the US
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The CBP agent -confiscated package may have had eight Petri dishes containing biological materials sent by Chengxuan Han. (Department of Justice)
“Possible smuggling of biological materials by this alien from the University of Science and Technology in Vuhan, China, is used by the University of Michigan at the Laboratory of Michigan – is part of a worrying model that threatens our safety,” Gorgon said. “The American taxpayer should not sign the SL -based smuggling operation at one of our decisive national authorities.”
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Fox News’ Olivianna calms down, and Peter d’Abroska contributed to this report.