Three Chinese research scholars at the University of Michigan were charged Wednesday with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States.
Federal prosecutors say the case marks the latest in a pattern of criminal activity by Chinese nationals at the university.
Xu Bai, 28, and Fengfan Zhang, 27, face conspiracy charges for allegedly receiving concealed biological materials from China. Zhiyong Zhang, 30, was charged with making false statements to federal agents. All three worked as research scholars at the Shawn Xu laboratory at the University of Michigan. They held J-1 visas for academic exchange.
The materials involved “biological materials related to round worms” shipped from Huazhong University in Wuhan, prosecutors said. The sender, Chengxuan Han, recently pleaded no contest to smuggling charges and was deported.
“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.”
After Han’s arrest, the university launched an internal investigation. The three defendants refused to participate and were fired. Their termination made them eligible for deportation.
Federal agents attempted to locate them at their homes on October 10 but were unsuccessful.
The men booked flights to PRC from both Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and JFK Airport in New York on various dates. They did not cancel or show up for their October 15 flight from DTW, but were later detained when they tried to catch a 2 a.m. flight from JFK on October 16.
Customs officers intercepted them during inspection. During questioning, Zhiyong Zhang allegedly lied about Han. The other two admitted receiving packages from Han after her arrest. This admission became key evidence in the conspiracy charges related to smuggling.
“At some point, pattern becomes practice,” U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said. “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that academic research provides no shield for illegal activity.
“The FBI and our partners are committed to defending the homeland and stopping any illegal smuggling into our country,” he said in a DOJ press release.
The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including ICE, FBI, and Customs and Border Protection. Officials praised the collaboration in identifying the alleged smuggling operation.
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons called for universities to strengthen admission procedures. He warned that foreign exchange programs remain vulnerable to exploitation.
The criminal complaint offers no details about the specific research value of the smuggled materials. Prosecutors focused instead on the deceptive methods allegedly used. All three defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case continues a string of prosecutions involving Chinese researchers at American universities.
In June of this year, two other Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were arrested and charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, making false statements, and visa fraud.
The pair allegedly smuggled a dangerous type of fungus into the U.S., which they intended to use at the University of Michigan’s lab facilities. Court records show that Jian had reportedly received funding from the Chinese government for research work related to the highly toxic pathogen, per The Dallas Express.