A Chinese couple accused of smuggling toxic fungi to us Science and Technology News

Federal Public Prosecutors in the United States accused Chinese citizens of smuggling toxic fungi to the United States, which authorities claim to be converted into a “potential weapon for agricultural benefit.”

The charges against Jian Yonging, 33, and Leo Zonung, 34, were canceled by China’s researchers by the US Prosecutor’s Office for the Eastern Region in Michigan on Tuesday. The pair faces additional fees for conspiracy and fraud in the visa and providing wrong data to the investigators.

Prosecutors claim that Liu smuggled fungi, called Fusarium Graminearum, to the United States so that he can conduct research at the University of Michigan University laboratory where his girlfriend, Gian.

Fusarium Graminearum causes “head lesion”, a disease in crops such as wheat, barley, corn and rice, and it is “responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses all over the world every year,” according to fees.

The nurse also poses a danger to humans and livestock, and can cause “vomiting, damage to the liver and reproductive defects.”

The investigation was conducted by customs and US border protection and the Federal Investigation Office, which includes the mandate of foreign and economic espionage as well as combating terrorism.

Gian was arrested earlier by the FBI and is scheduled to appear before the Federal Court this week, as her relations with the Chinese government are also exposed to scrutiny at a time to increase the madness of greatness within the United States government over the potential Chinese infiltration.

Jian is allegedly funding from the Chinese government to conduct research on the same toxic fungi in China, according to the charges.

The Associated Press news agency, noting to the FBI, said that Liu had been sent to China from Detroit in July 2024 after the airport’s customs authorities found fungi in his bag. He later admitted to bringing the materials to the United States to conduct research at the University of Michigan, where he was previously working alongside his girlfriend, AP said.

During the investigation, the FBI found an article on the Liu phone entitled “The War of the Plant Nurse in light of the change of climatic conditions.” The messages on the phones of the couple also indicated that Jian was aware of the smuggling scheme, and later on the investigators about her knowledge.

Liu is unlikely to face a delivery because the United States does not have a handover treaty with China.

The FBI director, Cash Patel, claimed that China “is working around the clock to publish activists and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supplies, which will have severe consequences.”

New … I can confirm that the FBI has arrested a Chinese citizen inside the United States, which has allegedly smuggled dangerous biological pathogens in the country.

It is claimed that the individual, Yonging Jian, has smuggled dangerous fungi called “Fusarium Graminearum”, which is …

– FBICTORKASH June 3, 2025

The Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Tuesday, the University of Michigan issued a brief statement condemning “any measures that seek to cause harm, threatening national security, or undermine the critical general task of the university.”

The case comes just one week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to start “strongly” Cancel visas For Chinese students in the United States on the basis of national security.

The targeted students include Chinese citizens with relations with the Communist Party of China (CCP), an institution of about 100 million members. While some Chinese may join ideological reasons, the membership in CCP comes with advantages such as access to better functions and educational opportunities.

It is not uncommon for students from elite backgrounds, like those studying in the United States, to also be members of CCP.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously pledged to “protect legitimate rights and interests” firmly “for its students studying abroad after the news campaign news.