The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a second Chinese national, Chengxuan Han for allegedly smuggling biological materials into the United States.
FBI Director, Kash Patel, in a post on his verified X account on Tuesday revealed Han, a Ph.D. student in Wuhan, China was the third PRC connected individual charged on similar allegations in recent days.
He said: “Yesterday (Monday), @FBIDetroit arrested a second Chinese national on charges of smuggling biological materials into the U.S. and lying to federal agents.
“This individual is Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and a Ph.D. student in Wuhan, China. Han is the third PRC connected individual charged on similar allegations in recent days.
“Han is alleged to have sent four packages to the U.S. from China containing a biological material related to round worms — addressed to individuals associated with a lab at the University of Michigan.
“Upon arriving at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 8, Han allegedly made false statements to federal officials regarding the packages she had previously mailed — and had erased her electronic device just days prior.
“In a follow up interview with FBI and ICE HSI agents, Han admitted to sending the packages and lying about their contents.
“This case is part of a broader effort from the FBI and our federal partners to heavily crack down on similar pathogeon smuggling operations, as the CCP works relentlessly to undermine America’s research institutions.”