US EditionThree Chinese Scholars Charged With Smuggling Biological Materials
Three University of Michigan scholars face federal charges for smuggling genetically modified roundworm materials, with one also accused of lying to investigators, officials said.
- A federal complaint filed after their Oct. 16 arrests accuses University of Michigan research scholar Fengfan Zhang and Han of conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the U.S.
- Evidence shows deceptive labeling to bypass U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with packages sent by Chengxuan Han earlier this year.
- Investigators found genetically modified roundworms and plasmids in shipments sent to Xu Bai, 28; some packages, including one intercepted by CBP on March 5, 2025, were mislabeled as documents.
- University officials terminated the researchers’ employment and SEVIS records after they refused cooperation, designating them eligible for DHS removal; ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said it's "transformative" for safeguarding exchange programs.
- Acting ICE leadership says the charges highlight security risks in foreign exchange programs and prompted scrutiny of University of Michigan foreign funding as the Shawn Xu laboratory remained active on Nov. 5, 2025.
63 Articles
63 Articles
DOJ Charges Three Chinese Nationals with Smuggling Biological Materials for University Research
Three Chinese research scholars affiliated with a University of Michigan laboratory have been criminally charged for allegedly conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States, marking the latest incident in a series of federal investigations targeting national security vulnerabilities tied to Chinese nationals and foreign research partnerships.
More Chinese Scientists Caught Smuggling Biohazardous Material into America
Three additional Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan have been charged as part of a widening federal investigation into the smuggling of undeclared biohazardous material from China into the United States.
Three Chinese National Scholars at University of Michigan Charged in Plot to Smuggle Biological Materials into the U.S. | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft
Three Chinese national research scholars from the University of Michigan have been charged in a federal case involving the illegal smuggling of biological materials into the United States.
Bongino gives a terrifying update on protecting the homeland · American Wire News
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino shared a terrifying update online of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to protect the homeland. “THREE research scholars from China – Xu Bai, Fergfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang – have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers,” Bongino posted on X. “These are the latest charges in a strin…
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