The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a second Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, over allegations of smuggling biological materials into the country and providing false information to federal agents.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest via his verified X account on Tuesday, disclosing that Han, a Ph.D. student in Wuhan, China, is the third individual linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to face similar charges in recent days.
“Yesterday, @FBIDetroit arrested a second Chinese national on charges of smuggling biological materials into the U.S. and lying to federal agents,” Patel stated.
According to the FBI, Han is accused of sending four packages from China to recipients affiliated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan. The packages reportedly contained biological material related to roundworms.
Han was apprehended upon arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on 8 June. Investigators allege she made false statements about the contents of the packages and had deleted data from her electronic device shortly before her travel.
In a subsequent interview with FBI and ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, Han reportedly admitted to both sending the materials and misleading authorities about their nature.
Patel said the arrest forms part of a wider crackdown on the smuggling of pathogens, amid growing concerns over efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to compromise American research institutions.
“This case is part of a broader effort from the FBI and our federal partners to heavily crack down on similar pathogen smuggling operations, as the CCP works relentlessly to undermine America’s research institutions,” he said.
