Two Chinese nationals accused in US Smuggling case for smuggling a dangerousbiological pathogen to America for research. Per Reuters, the pathogen responsible to used as an biologicalterrorism weapon. The pathogen recognized as Fusarium graminearum.
The US Department of Justice said that it was classified in medical literature as an potential agroterrorism weapon. The pathogen can cause “head blight” in vegetation and is responsible for big scale financial losses amounting to billions each year. Fusarium graminearum’s pollutants also cause vomiting, liver harm, and reproductive problems in people and livestock.
Chinese Couples Arrest in US Smuggling
According to an FBI crook criticism, Zunyong Liu, 34, a researcher currently in China, introduced the pathogen to America while traveling with his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, 33, in July 2024. Liu admitted that he smuggled the pathogen into the United States to conduct studies at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girl friend worked. Email communications between the two confirmed their statements.
Illegal Funding From China
Jian also acquired Chinese government funding for her works on this pathogen in China. Her electronics also incorporate data linking her to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Cheyvoryea Gibson, unique agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said the couple moves “posed a risk to public safety.”
In the release, US Attorney Jerome F Gorgon Jr said, “The alleged actions of those Chinese nationals, such as a faithful member of the Chinese Communist Party are of the gravest national safety problems. These two aliens have been charged with US Smuggling a pathogen that has been defined as a potential agroterrorism weapon’ in America.
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