Third Chinese national accused of smuggling biological materials into Michigan

A third Chinese national has been formally accused of illegally smuggling biological materials into the United States, allegedly for use in research at a University of Michigan laboratory.

Chengxuan Han, a doctoral student from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, is now facing federal charges including smuggling goods into the U.S. and making false statements to federal authorities.

According to court documents, between 2024 and 2025, Han allegedly shipped four packages from China to individuals affiliated with a University of Michigan lab. These packages reportedly contained concealed biological substances. Han was stopped on June 8 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers upon arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa.

Authorities claim Han initially denied knowledge of the packages and their contents. However, during an interview with the FBI, she later admitted to mailing the items and acknowledged they contained biological material related to roundworms. Investigators also say she accessed related data on her electronic device just days before her arrival in the U.S.

The case is currently under investigation by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. commented on the case, saying:

“The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China — to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory — is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security. The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions.”

This case follows similar charges filed earlier in the same week. On June 3, another Chinese national, Yunqing Jian, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, and her partner, Zunyong Liu, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud.

Federal investigators allege that Liu, who conducts research at a Chinese university on the same pathogen, initially denied wrongdoing but later admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus considered a potential agroterrorism agent, into the U.S. Liu allegedly brought the fungus into Detroit for research purposes tied to Jian’s work at the Michigan lab. Jian was arrested on June 3, while Liu has reportedly returned to China.

In response to the mounting charges, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago issued a formal statement:

“We have seen the media reports and are seeking more information through the appropriate channels. The Consulate has lodged a formal démarche with the U.S. regarding what we see as a failure to adhere to the China-U.S. Consular Convention by U.S. law enforcement. The Chinese government insists that Chinese citizens abroad must follow local laws, while also standing firm in protecting their legitimate rights. We oppose politicizing such cases under the guise of ideology and exaggerated national security concerns.”

Han is expected to appear in federal court in Detroit on Monday afternoon.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.