Michigan [US], June 11 (ANI): A Chinese national pursuing a Ph.D. in life sciences has been arrested and charged in the United States for allegedly smuggling biological materials and making false statements to federal authorities, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), is currently enrolled at the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan. U.S. federal officials allege that Han mailed four packages from China to individuals affiliated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan, concealing biological materials related to roundworms.
According to the criminal complaint, Han arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 8, 2025, on a J-1 visa. During a routine customs inspection, she allegedly made false statements about the biological materials she had previously shipped to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers also discovered that the contents of Han’s electronic device had been deleted three days prior to her arrival in the country.
Following the inspection, Han was interviewed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). During the interview, Han reportedly admitted to sending the packages, acknowledged the contents included biological samples, and confirmed she had misled border agents.
U.S. Attorney Gorgon condemned the incident, saying, “The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China, to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security. The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions.”
Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “The alleged smuggling of biological materials by Chengxuan Han is a direct threat to public safety and national security, and it severely compromises the integrity of our nation’s research institutions.”
He further praised the coordinated efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, CBP’s Office of Field Operations, and ICE HSI. “The FBI in Michigan will aggressively pursue anyone who seeks to harm our country and will deploy every available resource to defend the United States and protect our communities,” Gibson said.
The FBI, CBP, and ICE HSI are jointly investigating the case. Legal proceedings against Han are ongoing. (ANI)
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