Thread: Chinese nationals charged with smuggling deadly crop fungus into U.S. in agroterroris

Chinese nationals charged with smuggling deadly crop fungus into U.S. in agroterrorism plot

06/04/2025 // Cassie B. // 470 Views

Tags: agroterrorism, biological agents, CCP, China, Dangerous, food supply, fungus, national security, terrorism, toxins, WWIII

• A Chinese couple with alleged CCP ties was charged with smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a dangerous agroterrorism pathogen, into the U.S. via Detroit Airport.
• The fungus threatens wheat, barley, and maize crops, causing billions in losses and posing severe health risks to humans and livestock.
• The couple conspired to deliver the pathogen for undisclosed research, with evidence of prior smuggling attempts and CCP loyalty.
• The University of Michigan denied involvement, but the case raises concerns about foreign exploitation of U.S. academic labs.
• Experts warn agroterrorism could destabilize food security, prompting calls for stricter oversight of foreign researchers.

A Chinese couple with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party has been charged with smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States, raising alarms over potential agroterrorism threats.
Zunyong Liu, 34, was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last July attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum, a fungus described as a "potential agroterrorism weapon", into the country. His girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, 33, a University of Michigan researcher, allegedly conspired with him to receive the pathogen for undisclosed research purposes. Both now face charges including conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud.
The case highlights growing concerns about foreign adversaries exploiting U.S. academic institutions to advance biological threats against American agriculture and food security.
A dangerous pathogen with devastating potential

Fusarium graminearum is no ordinary fungus. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it causes "head blight," a disease that ravages wheat, barley, maize, and rice crops, leading to billions in global economic losses annually. Worse, the toxins it produces can induce vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock if contaminated crops are consumed.
Scientific literature classifies the fungus as a potential agroterrorism weapon due to its ability to cripple food supplies. If weaponized, it could devastate American farms, disrupt food chains, and inflict severe economic harm.
"The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns," said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. in a statement. "These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into the heartland of America."
Couple has a history of deception and smuggling

Liu initially lied to authorities about his knowledge of the pathogen but later admitted he intended to deliver it to Jian, who worked at a University of Michigan laboratory. Investigators found electronic communications between the couple discussing the shipment of biological materials prior to Liu’s arrival.
Shockingly, evidence suggests Jian had previously smuggled biological materials into the U.S. A signed statement on her phone confirmed her loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, while Liu reportedly conducted research on the same pathogen at a Chinese university.
"These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
The University of Michigan issued a statement distancing itself from the accused, claiming it received "no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals." The university pledged cooperation with federal authorities but emphasized that its lab lacked permits to handle Fusarium graminearum.
Despite these assurances, the case raises troubling questions about foreign infiltration of U.S. academic institutions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students with CCP ties, signaling heightened scrutiny of potential espionage risks.
This incident is not isolated. Experts warn that hostile nations could deploy biological agents to destabilize food supplies in a tactic known as agroterrorism. The FBI affidavit notes that Jian and Liu’s actions fit a pattern of clandestine biological smuggling, suggesting prior undisclosed operations.
Jian appeared in federal court and remains detained pending a bond hearing. Liu, however, remains in China, where U.S. extradition is unlikely due to the lack of a treaty. The case underscores vulnerabilities in U.S. biosecurity and the need for stricter oversight of foreign researchers. As global tensions escalate, America’s food supply should be a national security priority.
Sources for this article include:
NYPost.com
Breitbart.com
EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
APNews.com

Chinese nationals charged with smuggling deadly crop fungus into U.S. in agroterrorism plot – NaturalNews.com

Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S.

06/08/2025 // Laura Harris // 490 Views

Tags: big government, China, Chinese scholar, communism, deception, invasion usa, national security, privacy watch, smuggling, Trump, University of Michigan, visa fraud

• Two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian (a University of Michigan scholar) and Zunyong Liu, were charged with smuggling Fusarium graminearum – a fungal pathogen classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon – into the U.S.
• The fungus causes devastating crop diseases in wheat, barley and rice, posing severe economic and health risks globally.
• Jian, funded by the Chinese government, had evidence of CCP loyalty on her devices. Liu, researching the same pathogen in China, lied to customs about smuggling the fungus into Detroit.
• Liu hid contaminated plant materials in his luggage and initially denied knowledge before admitting he knew U.S. import restrictions applied.
• Both face charges (smuggling, visa fraud). The University of Michigan condemned the actions and the DOJ emphasized protecting national security. Jian awaits trial, while Liu fled to China.

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with attempting to smuggle a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States.
According to court documents unsealed on Tuesday, June 3, in Detroit, Chinese nationals Yunqing Jian, a University of Michigan scholar, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu conspired to illegally transport Fusarium graminearum into the United States.
Fusarium graminearum is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon capable of causing billions in economic damage and posing severe health risks to livestock and humans. This fungal pathogen causes "head blight," a devastating crop disease affecting wheat, barley, maize and rice, leading to billions in global agricultural losses annually.
Jian, a 33-year-old doctorate holder in plant pathogens from Zhejiang University, allegedly received funding from the Chinese government. Court documents reveal Jian's electronic devices contained evidence of her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Meanwhile, Liu, a 34-year-old who researches the same pathogen at a Chinese university, allegedly smuggled the fungal pathogen into Detroit Metropolitan Airport on July 27 and lied to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers about its purpose.
"On July 27, 2024, Liu entered the United States and told authorities he was visiting his girlfriend and then returning to China to start his own laboratory in China. He allegedly said that he had no work materials, but upon a secondary screening of his luggage, authorities found tissues concealed a note in Chinese, a round piece of filter paper with a series of circles drawn on it and four clear plastic baggies with small clumps of reddish plant material inside," the affidavit read.
Liu initially denied knowledge of the items but later admitted to hiding them, stating he knew import restrictions applied.
Jian has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud, while Liu has reportedly returned to China. (Related: Chinese student arrested for omitting link to PLA-backed university in F-1 visa application.)
Bondi praises DOJ for keeping the American people safe

The University of Michigan issued a statement condemning the alleged actions and emphasizing cooperation with federal investigators.
"We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission," the statement read. "It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution."
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Department of Justice (DOJ) for "keeping the American people safe" and protecting the nation from "hostile foreign actors."
"Thanks to the hard work of our excellent DOJ attorneys, this defendant – who clandestinely attempted to bring a destructive substance into the United States – will face years behind bars," the attorney general said.
Visit CommunistChina.news for more stories like this.
Watch the video below that talks about CCP sending spies to America.

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Sources include:
Breitbart.com
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ABCNews.go.com
Brighteon.com

Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S. – NaturalNews.com