U.S. authorities arrested Chengxuan Han, a Chinese researcher, for allegedly smuggling biological materials into the United States, marking the second such case within days. Han, a doctoral student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, was apprehended at Detroit’s airport upon her arrival from Shanghai. According to an FBI complaint, since September, Han sent four shipments containing concealed biological materials related to roundworms to staff at the University of Michigan, where she intended to spend a year conducting research.
The complaint details that Han attempted to mislead federal agents regarding these shipments. The biological materials required a government permit and were reportedly hidden between the pages of books. Notably, Han deleted the contents of her electronic device shortly before her arrival in the U.S., claiming she aimed to “start fresh.” She remains in custody pending a bond hearing.
This case follows the recent charges against two other Chinese nationals, one of whom attempted to smuggle a toxic fungus into the U.S. for research at the same university. The FBI established that this fungus, known to be aggressive and damaging, had raised biosecurity concerns.
The University of Michigan is cooperating with federal authorities, condemning actions that threaten national security. The Chinese Embassy did not provide immediate comments, but a spokesperson asserted that the Chinese government emphasizes compliance with local laws. Experts underline the importance of following proper agreements and controls in transferring biological research materials to mitigate risks to crops and the environment.
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