U.S. authorities arrested Chengxuan Han, a Chinese doctoral student from Huazhong University, for allegedly smuggling biological material into the country. Han was apprehended at Detroit’s airport after federal agents found that she had sent four shipments from China, containing concealed biological material related to roundworms, to the University of Michigan. These shipments were sent despite not having the necessary government permits. During her interrogation upon entry, Han provided false information and reportedly deleted data from her electronic devices shortly before arriving in the U.S., claiming she wanted to “start fresh.”
This case follows the arrest of two other Chinese nationals charged with attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the U.S. for research purposes at the University of Michigan. One of them was already in custody, while the other remains at large after being denied entry last year. Experts have highlighted the biosecurity risks associated with moving certain biological materials, stressing that they must be transported legally with the appropriate controls.
The Chinese Embassy did not comment on Han’s arrest, but a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry indicated that Chinese citizens abroad should follow local laws while also having their rights protected. The University of Michigan asserted its cooperation with federal law enforcement and condemned actions that threaten national security or undermine its mission.
As investigations continue, concerns about the implications of these cases on biosecurity and the possibility of harmful biological agents being introduced into the U.S. ecosystem are being closely monitored. Han remains in custody, with a bond hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
