Wednesday, June 04, 2025

MI: Two Chinese Researchers Smuggled Pathogen Into US

Yunqing Jian (33) and Zunyong Liu (34), citizens of the PRC, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, false statements, and visa fraud. The FBI arrested Jian for allegedly smuggling into the US a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, a potential agroterrorism weapon. This noxious fungus causes "head blight," a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. In humans and livestock the toxins cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects. Jian received Chinese government funding to research this pathogen. Jian's boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same fungus. He allegedly smuggled Fusarium graminearum into the US so that he could conduct research on it with Jian at the University of Michigan.

Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 10:32 AM | 21 COMMENTS | permalink

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A Chinese researcher in Michigan and her boyfriend have been charged with smuggling a biological pathogen that "can cause devastating diseases in crops" into the U.S., according to unsealed federal charging documents.

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-- NBC News (@nbcnews.com) June 4, 2025 at 4:15 AM

Comments

Is there a true case against these people or is a politicized FBI just attempting to weave another Trump narrative that helps indirectly shield him from responsibility for the COVID disaster?

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-04 08:29 AM

#1: Good question, I pondered a few things when I read the complaint which emphasized the defendant's loyalty to the CCP. The two are charged with lying and smuggling, not terrorism-related charges and the AUSA press release did not cite the relevant law: 18 US Code 175.

The Trumpf junta is maximizing the anti-Beijing angle of this case which helps their overall narrative. Nevertheless, the two defendants willfully smuggled pathogens into the US and China was previously implicated in the covert biolab found in California. Whether Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are dupes in the instant offense or forced by the CCP to do this remains to be seen.

#2 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-06-04 08:45 AM

Under Trump's watch ...

#3 | Posted by a_monson at 2025-06-04 10:23 AM


Under Trump's watch ...
#3 | POSTED BY A_MONSON

Under Biden this would have been ignored.

Why do you support Trump so much?

#4 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-06-04 10:45 AM

"My fellow Americans, there is a fungus among us."

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-04 11:16 AM

Under Biden this would have been ignored.

Why do you support Trump so much?
#4 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

Why do you suck up to a convicted criminal so much?

The FBI investigation began last year. Under the Biden administration.

Being as how this fungus is already here there is obviously no need to rush. But rush they did because Trumpy is so desperate for a "win".

Fusarium graminearum is found across the United States and Canada, especially in wheat and barley growing areas.

So not quite the evil "agroterrorists" you were hoping for. I'd like to know about their actual research. Was it for finding a way to prevent or encourage more crop infections. It's kinda significant.

And in their desperation for some fresh political theater they even let one of them escape back to China.

Good job Ice Barbie. We may never know the truth. As intended.

#8 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-04 11:27 AM

#8: That would help explain the phraseology in the AUSA press release: A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.

Original links to OP: SacBee UMich DIA

#9 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-06-04 11:56 AM

One of the biggest mistakes the world ever made was not going after China and the Covid deaths they caused.

But then maybe other countries and players were involved or protecting China like Joe Biden. There were always countries proclaiming to be good guys that were quite evil with deadly schemes and false flags concocted and under their belt.

#10 | Posted by Robson at 2025-06-04 02:53 PM

One of the biggest mistakes the world ever made was not going after China and the Covid deaths they caused.

#10 | POSTED BY ROBSON

Look at ROBSON, as predicted trying to get Trump off the hook for 1.2 millions American dead.

Can't be done, ROBSON. Trump 1.0 was a disaster. Much like Trump 2.0 is a disaster. The most we can hope for is that Donald won't kill off the equivalent of another American city the size of Dallas.

#11 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-04 02:58 PM

@#10 ... One of the biggest mistakes the world ever made ...

... was Pres Trump's actions toward COVID, which looked like he was actively aiding and abetting the COVID invasion of America.

#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-04 03:24 PM

What the illegally imported could be weaponized to kill off many or our grain crops which would lead to vast food shortages, among other things i.e., biological warfare.

FYI:
"Based on recent reports, two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, are accused of smuggling a dangerous fungus called Fusarium graminearum into the United States.
The potential danger associated with this fungus stems from its ability to:
Cause "head blight" in crops: Fusarium graminearum is known to cause a devastating disease affecting staple crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice, leading to significant economic losses globally.
Produce harmful toxins: The fungus produces toxins that can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock."

#13 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-06-05 02:13 PM

I cant believe how you liberals are always on the side of America's enemies.

Dont worry, voters are taking notice.

#14 | Posted by boaz at 2025-06-05 03:39 PM

"One of the biggest mistakes the world ever made was not going after China and the Covid deaths they caused."

The Democrat Hoax killed people?
???

#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-05 03:48 PM

re: #14

We didn't vote for a fascist traitor. Keep accusing us of what you're guilty of, though

#16 | Posted by hamburglar at 2025-06-05 03:49 PM

The form consisted of a pledge to remain loyal to China and to "support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, resolutely implement the party's educational guidelines and policies, love education, care for students, unite colleagues, love the motherland and care about international affairs," according to the criminal complaint.

Help me out here:
What is the criminal activity evidenced by that paperwork?
Thanks!

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-05 03:52 PM

In essence the two allegedly brought in the fungus without declaring it at the airport, making the crime "smuggling." The AUSA hyped up the language in the paperwork to demonize China. And as someone else posted in the thread, we may never know the truth. Hence the AUSA phraseology: "A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment."

#18 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-06-05 04:01 PM

The Democrat Hoax killed people?

That was always the funny thing about Covid.

It was a Fauci-funded Chinese bioweapon designed to kill millions, but also perfectly harmless.

#19 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-06-05 04:02 PM

Help me out here:
What is the criminal activity evidenced by that paperwork?
Thanks!

#17 | Posted by snoofy

You are a real ------ person..

What do you think?

#20 | Posted by boaz at 2025-06-06 06:37 AM

Not a trick question.

I think none of it is a crime, which is why I asked what part of that is a crime.

#21 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-06 09:09 AM

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