US federal authorities have charged two Chinese nationals with attempting to smuggle a dangerous agricultural pathogen into the United States, raising concerns over biosecurity and the potential misuse of biological agents, AP reports.

The Department of Justice announced on June 3 that Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old researcher at the University of Michigan, and her partner, 34-year-old Zunyong Liu, face charges including conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud. The charges stem from an incident in July 2024, when Liu was intercepted at Detroit Metropolitan Airport carrying red plant material in his backpack. Upon investigation, the material was identified as Fusarium graminearum, a fungus known to devastate crops such as wheat, barley, maize and rice, and to produce toxins harmful to humans and livestock.

The FBI has classified the fungus as a "potential agroterrorism weapon", the report says.

Initially, Liu denied knowledge of the samples but later admitted he intended to use them for research at the University of Michigan lab where Jian worked. Further investigation revealed that Jian had been handling the fungus in the lab without the necessary federal permits. Electronic communications between the two indicated collaboration, with messages suggesting prior coordination in handling the pathogen. Additionally, a signed statement expressing support for the Communist Party of China was found on Jian’s phone.

Jian has been detained and is awaiting a bond hearing, while Liu was deported to China following the airport incident and remains at large the report adds. The absence of an extradition treaty between the US and China complicates efforts to bring Liu to trial.

The University of Michigan has stated that it is cooperating with authorities and has no Chinese government funding related to the research in question.