Three Chinese Scholars Charged in US Over Alleged Biological Material Smuggling Case

A federal investigation in the United States has widened after three Chinese nationals affiliated with the University of Michigan were charged with attempting to smuggle biological materials into the country. The case, filed in a federal court in Michigan, expands an earlier probe that resulted in the arrest and deportation of another Chinese national earlier this year.

According to court filings, the three individuals — Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang, both charged with conspiracy to smuggle, and Zhiyong Zhang, accused of making false statements — allegedly received undeclared biological samples shipped from China. The case is being overseen by Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, working closely with the FBI and US Customs and Border Protection.

Federal prosecutors described the situation as part of a troubling pattern involving Chinese nationals linked to academic institutions. The US Attorney for the region said the alleged conduct represented a “long and alarming pattern” of activity that could compromise national security.

The investigation began months earlier with the arrest of Chengxuan Han, who was detained at Detroit Metro Airport in June. Han admitted to smuggling biological materials and lying to federal agents before being deported in September. One of the suspicious packages intercepted by US authorities earlier in the year was addressed to Bai’s Ann Arbor residence and contained petri dishes with Caenorhabditis elegans, a genetically modified roundworm commonly used in laboratory research.

Additional shipments traced to the accused were delivered to various addresses in Ann Arbor, including parcels intended for Fengfan Zhang but sent under an alias. Investigators noted that all three suspects arrived in the US between 2021 and 2024 and were participating in research activities as J-1 exchange scholars at the University of Michigan.

The complaint also reveals that two of the accused were present at the airport when Han was originally detained, raising further questions about coordination among the individuals. During an internal review conducted afterward, university officials reported that the three scholars refused to cooperate with inquiries and were subsequently dismissed. Their J-1 visa statuses were revoked in early October, making them subject to removal proceedings.

Authorities detained the trio again at New York’s JFK Airport after they booked new flights to China. They were stopped by Customs and Border Protection before they could depart and later taken into custody by immigration enforcement officers.

If found guilty, the accused could face significant prison terms. Smuggling charges against Bai and Fengfan Zhang carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, while the false-statement charge against Zhiyong Zhang could result in up to five years.

The case underscores heightened federal attention on undeclared biological imports and academic compliance, particularly involving cross-border research activity that may pose national security risks.