A clandestine operation involving smuggled biological materials and a prestigious American university has come to light with the charging of three Chinese nationals. Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang now face accusations of conspiracy, stemming from their alleged attempts to import restricted items while employed at the University of Michigan.
The investigation began with the case of Chengxuan Han, a former laboratory colleague, who previously faced charges related to smuggling and false statements. After Han’s removal from the country, the University initiated an internal review, a process the three charged individuals abruptly halted by refusing to cooperate.
Their refusal led to termination and potential deportation, but not before an attempt to flee the country. On October 16th, all three were intercepted at John F. Kennedy International Airport while trying to board a flight to China, triggering further scrutiny and ultimately, their charges.
The initial thread of the case involved packages sent from China, seemingly innocuous on the surface. One shipment, originating from a researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and addressed to Xu Bai, was labeled simply as “doc.” However, a closer inspection revealed a hidden envelope tucked within the pages of a book.
Inside that envelope wasn’t correspondence, but a cryptic series of handwritten shapes and labels. Prosecutors allege these weren’t artistic expressions, but a coded system representing biological materials linked to roundworms – a potentially dangerous and unauthorized import.
Bai’s interactions with Customs and Border Protection were reportedly uncooperative. During questioning at JFK, he allegedly revealed that the sender, Han, held a leadership position within the biology department at her university and was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.
Further investigation uncovered a pattern of shipments to Fengfan Zhang, disguised as “glass sheets” and “documents.” These packages contained highly specific biological components: “PRK 5” plasmids, genetically modified roundworms, and “HA Cluk1 Rat” plasmids – all improperly declared and potentially posing a significant risk.
Zhiyong Zhang was also implicated in receiving suspicious packages, sent under the alias “Dylan Zhang.” These were deceptively labeled as “plastic plates,” but contained petri dishes teeming with nematodes, a type of roundworm, further solidifying the pattern of illicit biological imports.
The case has prompted calls for heightened security measures within academic exchange programs. Officials emphasize the critical need for universities to rigorously vet applicants and strengthen admissions procedures to prevent exploitation and safeguard national security.
Prosecutors have characterized these incidents as part of a disturbing trend, highlighting a “long and alarming pattern” of criminal activity by Chinese nationals operating under the guise of academic research at the University of Michigan. The full implications of these smuggled materials remain under investigation.
