In a serious national security concern, the United States has accused a Chinese researcher couple of smuggling a dangerous biological agent with the potential to destroy crops and trigger agricultural terrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel termed the incident a grave warning, stating that the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) is allegedly deploying individuals disguised as researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target the country’s food supply chain.
According to the FBI, in July 2024, a Chinese man named Junyong Liu arrived in the US carrying a toxic fungus in his luggage. Red plants were found in his bag at Detroit Airport. During interrogation, he confessed that he intended to deliver the items to his girlfriend Yunqing Jian, a researcher at a Michigan University lab. He also admitted to earlier smuggling attempts with her for joint research involving hazardous biological agents.
Following the discovery, Liu was deported back to China. Jian, however, has been arrested by US authorities. The smuggled agent has been identified as Fusarium graminearum, a fungus capable of devastating crops like wheat, barley, corn, and rice, posing serious health risks to both animals and humans.
The FBI highlighted that the use of such agents could lead to billions of dollars in annual losses to the US agricultural sector and is being considered a potential agro-terrorism weapon. Investigations into further connections and motives are ongoing.
