Jun 5, 2025 02:38 PM
Michigan students accused of smuggling 'potential agroterrorism' fungus into the U.S. (excerpt): A press release shared by the government Tuesday claims that the two students smuggled a fungus called Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. The fungus, according to the government, is capable of producing a destructive crop-killing disease known as “head blight” that can impact a variety of harvests, including “wheat, barley, maize, and rice.” A website dedicated to crop protection characterizes the fungus as “most economically important wheat disease in the U.S. and Canada.”
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Chinese nationals accused of smuggling 'dangerous biological pathogen' into US (excerpts): Two Chinese nationals have been accused of smuggling a fungus into the US that officials describe as a "dangerous biological pathogen".
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on Tuesday.
The complaint alleges Mr Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Ms Jian, worked.
The fungus called Fusarium graminearum can cause a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice that can wipe out crops and lead to vomiting and liver damage if it gets into food.
[...] Spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington DC Liu Pengyu told the BBC that he is not familiar with this specific case, but emphasized that Beijing "has always required overseas Chinese citizens to abide by local laws and regulations and will also resolutely safeguard their legitimate rights and interests".
[...] Earlier this week, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan was charged for illegally voting in the 2024 election... (MORE - missing details)
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Chinese nationals accused of smuggling 'dangerous biological pathogen' into US (excerpts): Two Chinese nationals have been accused of smuggling a fungus into the US that officials describe as a "dangerous biological pathogen".
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on Tuesday.
The complaint alleges Mr Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Ms Jian, worked.
The fungus called Fusarium graminearum can cause a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice that can wipe out crops and lead to vomiting and liver damage if it gets into food.
[...] Spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington DC Liu Pengyu told the BBC that he is not familiar with this specific case, but emphasized that Beijing "has always required overseas Chinese citizens to abide by local laws and regulations and will also resolutely safeguard their legitimate rights and interests".
[...] Earlier this week, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan was charged for illegally voting in the 2024 election... (MORE - missing details)