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U.S. federal authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle a toxic mushroom from China, which is considered a threat to agricultural security and public health.
The Department of Justice reported on Tuesday that two Chinese nationals were formally charged with conspiracy, false statements, visa fraud, and smuggling biological goods into the country.
The individuals involved are Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, who allegedly attempted to bring into the country a fungus known as Fusarium graminearum, classified by experts as a potential agent of agroterrorism.
This fungus causes a disease known as "head blight" or fusariosis, which affects key crops such as wheat, corn, barley, and rice, and has resulted in millions of dollars in economic losses worldwide.
Their toxins can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive alterations in both humans and animals.
According to the accusation, Jian received funding from the Chinese government for his work with this pathogen.
Furthermore, the authorities found information on their electronic devices that would indicate their affiliation and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
For his part, Liu, his partner, works at a Chinese university where he researches the same fungus and, according to the file, admitted to having introduced it through Detroit Metropolitan Airport with the aim of conducting research in the University of Michigan's laboratory, where Jian worked.
"The alleged attempt to use a university laboratory in the heart of the United States to manipulate a pathogen classified as a biological weapon is a matter of the utmost national concern," declared federal prosecutor Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., while announcing the charges in Detroit.
The arrest was made possible thanks to a joint investigation between the FBI and the Field Operations Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which classified the case as an imminent threat to national security.
"The clandestine introduction of dangerous biological materials by university researchers with ties to the Chinese regime underscores the importance of protecting our borders and research centers," added Marty C. Raybon, Director of Field Operations at CBP.
Yunqing Jian was arrested and is expected to appear this Tuesday before a federal court in Detroit. Zunyong Liu also faces charges for his involvement in the scheme.
Authorities reminded that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that the case is still under investigation to determine whether they will proceed with formal charges through a federal indictment.
According to AP, in July 2024, Zunyong Liu was intercepted at Detroit airport and sent back to China after altering his story during an interrogation about a red plant material found in his backpack, where he had reportedly concealed the toxic fungus.
The agency also reported that Yunqing Jian has already appeared before a federal court and was returned to prison, awaiting a bail hearing scheduled for this Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Attempted Smuggling of Toxic Mushrooms from China to the U.S.
What is the Fusarium graminearum fungus and why is it dangerous?
The fungus Fusarium graminearum is a pathogen that causes the disease known as "head blight" or fusariosis, affecting key crops such as wheat, corn, barley, and rice. Its toxins can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive disorders in humans and animals, which classifies it as a threat to agricultural safety and public health.
Who are the accused in the attempted smuggling of the fungus to the U.S.?
The accused are Yunqing Jian, 33 years old, and Zunyong Liu, 34. Both face charges of conspiracy, false statements, visa fraud, and smuggling biological goods into the United States. Jian received funding from the Chinese government for his work with this pathogen, and Liu, his partner, works at a Chinese university researching the same fungus.
How was the attempt to smuggle the fungus into the U.S. detected?
The attempt was thwarted thanks to a joint investigation between the FBI and the Field Operations Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The case was classified as an imminent threat to national security, emphasizing the importance of protecting borders and research centers.
What consequences do those involved in the Fusarium graminearum case face?
Yunqing Jian was arrested and is expected to appear before a federal court in Detroit. Zunyong Liu also faces charges for his involvement in the smuggling, and the case is still under investigation to determine whether they will proceed with a formal accusation through a federal indictment.
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