Washington, D.C., June 4, 2025 — FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stark warning on Wednesday following the arrest of two Chinese nationals accused of smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States. The arrests have triggered renewed concerns over biosecurity and foreign infiltration of U.S. research institutions.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspects, Zunyong Liu, 34, and Yunqing Jian, 33, are facing multiple charges including conspiracy, smuggling, visa fraud, and making false statements. The pathogen involved—Fusarium graminearum, a fungal agent known to cause head blight in cereal crops—is classified in scientific literature as a potential tool for agricultural terrorism. The fungus is responsible for billions of dollars in crop losses globally and poses a serious threat to food security.
Liu, a researcher based in China, is alleged to have brought the fungus into the country during a visit to Jian, his girlfriend and a researcher at the University of Michigan, in July 2024. According to an FBI criminal complaint, Liu admitted that he intended to conduct research on the pathogen within the university’s laboratory facilities.
In a statement to Fox News, FBI Director Patel described the incident as a “serious national security threat,” highlighting the broader risks posed by such breaches:
“This case is a sobering reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate our institutions and target our food supply—an act that could cripple our economy and endanger American lives.”
Director Patel commended the swift action of the FBI’s Detroit Division and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stating:
“Smuggling a known agroterrorism agent into the U.S. is not just a violation of law; it’s a direct threat to national security. I commend our teams for intercepting this biological threat before it could cause real harm.”
The incident has intensified scrutiny of international research collaboration protocols and the vetting of foreign nationals in sensitive academic fields. The case is currently under federal investigation.
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