A Chinese scientist was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Sunday, June 8, 2025, accused of attempting to smuggle biological material into the United States. This incident marks the second case in a matter of days involving the alleged illegal importation of biological materials.
The Smuggling Allegations
According to authorities, the scientist shipped biological material months ago to staff at the University of Michigan. The material, which the FBI described as being related to certain worms, is regulated by strict U.S. laws and requires a government permit for importation.
The guidelines for shipping biological materials for research are clear, but violations of these regulations undermine the legitimate work of other scholars, said John Nowak, head of field operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Details of the Arrest
The scientist, who was traveling from China, was interviewed and arrested after arriving in the U.S. on a flight from her home country. She had been pursuing an advanced degree at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan and had planned to spend a year at the University of Michigan working on a research project.
Authorities intercepted her shipments, which included an envelope hidden inside a book, last year and earlier this year. The biological materials were subsequently opened and examined by authorities.
The court filing does not indicate whether the biological material is considered to be dangerous, though U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. stated that smuggling of this type threatens national security.
Previous Incidents and Reactions
The arrest comes on the heels of a similar case, where two Chinese scientists were charged last week for attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the U.S. One of the suspects was sent back to China, while the other, a researcher at the University of Michigan, was arrested and remains in custody.
Michael Shapira, a biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, reviewed the court filing and stated that, based on the information provided, the material didn’t appear to be dangerous. However, he emphasized that there are clear rules governing the shipping of biological materials, and violating these rules has serious consequences.
The Chinese scientist remains in custody and is scheduled for a bond hearing on Wednesday. The case continues to raise concerns about the security risks posed by the illegal importation of biological materials, especially as authorities are focused on preventing potential threats to U.S. research and public safety.
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