A Chinese researcher, Chengxuan Han, was arrested at the Detroit Metropolitan airport for allegedly trying to smuggle biological materials into the US and lying to federal authorities about the scheme. This incident marks the third case of Chinese scientists attempting to smuggle illegal biological materials into Michigan in recent weeks.
Han, who arrived on a flight from Shanghai, was charged with smuggling goods into the US and making false statements to border officers. The packages she sent from China to individuals associated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan contained biological material related to round worms. Han initially denied sending the packages to the lab and claimed they contained plastic cups instead of petri dishes.
Upon further investigation, Han admitted to shipping the biological materials from her research as a Ph.D. student at the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan. She also deleted the content of her electronic device three days before arriving in the US, raising suspicions about her intentions.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, Cheyvoryea Gibson, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the smuggling of biological materials poses a direct threat to public safety and national security. The FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, along with other agencies, worked together to uncover the illegal scheme and protect the integrity of research institutions in the US.
Despite being denied a visa to travel to the US on two separate occasions in March, Han received an offer letter from the University of Michigan to be a visiting scholar at the lab. This development raises concerns about the vetting process for foreign researchers and the risks associated with potential espionage or theft of intellectual property.
Wuhan, the city where COVID-19 initially emerged, continues to be a focal point for scrutiny and investigation due to its role in the global pandemic. The case of Chengxuan Han highlights the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance in monitoring the activities of foreign researchers to safeguard national interests and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive materials.
