On Tuesday, two Chinese nationals – University of Michigan (UM) lab researcher Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34 – were accused of smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen that could be a viable agro-terrorism weapon into the United States.

The two have also been accused of conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, once Liu admitted to smuggling the pathogen into the U.S. to conduct research with Jian at a UM laboratory.

Jian also reportedly received Chinese government funding in relation to her work on the pathogen in China. Additionally, Jian’s electronics contained further information linking her to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The pathogen has been identified as Fusarium graminearum. The U.S. Department of Justice has said that it was “classified in scientific literature as a potential agro-terrorism weapon.”

The fungus can cause “head blight” in crops and is responsible for billions in economic losses each year.

Fusarium graminearum not only damages crops but also causes infections in livestock and humans that ingest produce with the fungus on it. 

It was noted that Fusarium graminearum’s toxins cause reproductive defects, liver damage, vomiting, and even a refusal to eat.

Thankfully, it seems the fungus won’t be making its way out as the two Chinese nationals were quickly arrested thanks to the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

FBI Director Kash Patel said the following in a statement on X:

“This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences... putting American lives and our economy at serious risk. Your FBI will continue working tirelessly to be on guard against it.”