Federal Authorities Arrest Another University of Michigan Scholar
This week, federal authorities apprehended another scholar from the University of Michigan, this time from China, highlighting ongoing concerns about potential national security risks.
A criminal lawsuit, filed recently, accuses Chengxuan Han of attempting to smuggle biological materials into the United States. Reports indicate that he mailed four packages, allegedly containing materials related to roundworms, to a professor’s institute at the university. Names of specific recipients were not disclosed.
Han earned his doctorate from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, and had been invited to join the university’s Visiting Scholars Program. Prosecutors state that he acquired these biological materials from Wuhan University.
A few days ago, Han arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after a flight from Shanghai. FBI agents allege that during a secondary inspection at the airport, he initially denied sending the packages but later admitted to doing so when pressed. He had described the package as a plastic cup, neglecting to mention the enclosed Petri dish with the suspected biological material.
In a subsequent interview with the FBI, Han confessed that the package contained biological material linked to roundworms and acknowledged providing false statements to customs officials during the inspection. He mentioned that these materials included nematode growth media, which is used to cultivate microscopic organisms.
Reportedly, Han had used one of the packages as a “game,” including instructions written on the plasmids. Interestingly, just before his arrival in Michigan, he deleted the contents of his electronic devices, claiming it was to “start fresh” in the U.S.
The interim U.S. attorney, Jerome Gorgon, characterized Han’s actions as part of a disturbing trend that poses a safety threat. He emphasized that U.S. taxpayers should not be unwittingly involved in smuggling operations connected to China, especially at reputable public institutions.
John Nowak, representing the field operations, remarked that importing biological materials into the U.S. for research is governed by strict regulations, and actions like Han’s could undermine the legitimate efforts of other visiting scholars. If convicted, Han could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
His attorney declined to comment on the matter, and the university did not respond to requests for statements. This incident follows the arrest of another Chinese scholar and her boyfriend last week, who were also accused of attempting to smuggle potentially hazardous biological materials into the U.S.
These developments occur amid new announcements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding visa revocations for Chinese students in sensitive fields, although President Trump indicated a more conciliatory approach in light of recent trade negotiations with China.
