Archive · 6 Nov 2025
US Charges 3 Chinese Nationals with Smuggling Bioweapons from University of Michigan
Three people from China who used to work at the University of Michigan have been accused of a crime.
They are accused of trying to bring special biological stuff, like tiny worms, into the U.S. without telling anyone the right way.
One person is also accused of lying to government agents.
These people allegedly got packages from another person from China who used to work with them.
This other person already got in trouble and was sent back to China.
When the three accused tried to leave the country, they were caught.
Government officials say this kind of thing is dangerous for the country and its farms.
Three Chinese nationals formerly affiliated with the University of Michigan have been charged with smuggling biological materials and making false statements.
The defendants, Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang, allegedly received shipments of biological materials related to roundworms from a former lab colleague, Chengxuan Han.
Chengxuan Han, who previously worked at the same U-M lab, pleaded no contest to smuggling and false statement charges and has been removed from the U.S.
The defendants attempted to flee the U.S. from JFK Airport on October 16, 2025, after refusing to cooperate with a U-M internal investigation and being terminated.
Authorities state the alleged smuggling of biological materials threatens U.S. national and agricultural security.
- Who
- Three Chinese nationals: Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang, formerly research scholars at the University of Michigan.
- What
- Charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the U.S. and making false statements to federal authorities.
- When
- Charges filed following an attempted departure from JFK on October 16, 2025. An earlier plea from Chengxuan Han, who also worked in the same lab, is also mentioned.
- Where
- University of Michigan, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
- Why
- Alleged conspiracy to smuggle biological materials related to roundworms into the U.S. for purposes deemed a threat to national and agricultural security.
- Defendants
- Xu Bai (28), Fengfan Zhang (27), Zhiyong Zhang (30)
- Affiliation
- University of Michigan (formerly research scholars at Xianzhong Xu's lab)
- Charges
- Conspiracy to smuggle biological materials, Making false statements to federal authorities
- Alleged Smuggler
- Chengxuan Han (PRC citizen, former U-M lab employee)
- Incident Location
- University of Michigan, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Date of Attempted Departure
- October 16, 2025