FBI's apprehension of Yunqing Jian, a Chinese national, for smuggling the hazard

FBI Director Kash Patel;

I can confirm that the FBI has apprehended a Chinese national within the United States who is accused of smuggling a hazardous biological pathogen into the country.

The individual, Yunqing Jian, is purported to have smuggled a perilous fungus known as "Fusarium graminearum," which is recognized as an agroterrorism agent, into the U.S. for research purposes at the University of Michigan, where she is employed.

This fungus is capable of causing a disease referred to as "head blight," which affects wheat, barley, maize, and rice, leading to significant health complications for both humans and livestock. It is accountable for billions of dollars in economic losses globally each year.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that Jian had shown allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party and had received financial support from the Chinese government for similar research on this pathogen in China.

Jian's boyfriend, Zunyong Liu — who is also named in the complaint — is affiliated with a Chinese university where he researches the same pathogen. Liu is alleged to have initially lied, then confessed, to also smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the United States—via the Detroit Metropolitan Airport—so that he could likewise conduct research at the University of Michigan.

Both individuals face charges of conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, making false statements, and committing visa fraud.

This case serves as a stark reminder that the CCP is diligently working to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which poses severe consequences... endangering American lives and our economy.

The FBI will persist in its efforts to remain vigilant against such threats.

Our @FBIDetroit team has performed admirably in this case in collaboration with @CBP.

Justice will prevail.