Federal authorities have arrested 33-year-old Yunqing Jian, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, in connection with the alleged smuggling of a dangerous agricultural pathogen into the United States. Jian, along with her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34, has been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., making false statements, and visa fraud, according to a criminal complaint.
The arrest stems from an investigation into the smuggling of Fusarium graminearum, a highly destructive fungus considered by scientists to be a potential agroterrorism weapon. The pathogen causes a crop disease known as ‘head blight,’ which severely impacts wheat, barley, maize, and rice. Globally, the fungus has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses and poses serious health risks to humans and livestock through its production of mycotoxins. These toxins can induce vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive problems.
United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced the charges, joined by the FBI Detroit Division and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The FBI described the case as a major national security threat, citing the alleged exploitation of a University of Michigan laboratory, where Jian was working, to conduct unauthorized research on the pathogen.
According to the complaint, Jian received government funding in China to study the fungus and maintained ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Liu, her boyfriend and a researcher at a Chinese university, allegedly admitted to smuggling the fungus through Detroit Metropolitan Airport after initially lying to federal agents.
U.S. Attorney Gorgon highlighted the gravity of the situation by noting that the two individuals have been charged with smuggling a fungus considered a potential agroterrorism threat into the central region of the United States.
Both Jian and Liu face federal prosecution as investigators continue to assess the full scope of their activities. Jian is expected to make her initial court appearance this afternoon in Detroit. Authorities underscored that the criminal complaint is a formal accusation and not evidence of guilt. A decision on a potential felony indictment will follow the conclusion of the investigation.
New... I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 3, 2025
The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called "Fusarium graminearum," which is an…
