Detroit City Wire

Three Chinese research scholars affiliated with the University of Michigan have been charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States and making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The charges were announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., representing the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The accused individuals, Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30, are alleged to have engaged in activities that threaten national security under the guise of academic research. "Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

These actions are part of a broader pattern of criminal activity linked to international research at the University of Michigan. "At some point, pattern becomes practice," said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. "We are thankful for the vigilance of our elite federal partners—ICE HSI, FBI, and CBP—as a counterweight against this threat."

The scholars were working in a laboratory led by Xianzhong Xu at UM when they received shipments containing concealed biological materials related to roundworms from Chengxuan Han in China. Han had previously pleaded no contest to smuggling charges and was removed from the U.S.

Following Han's arrest, an internal investigation was launched by UM into Xu's laboratory. The three defendants refused to cooperate with this investigation and were subsequently terminated from their positions, making them eligible for removal by Homeland Security.

In October 2025, attempts by federal agents to locate the defendants were unsuccessful as they rebooked flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport before attempting to leave for China.

"This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people," said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. FBI Director Kash Patel added that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity.

The case was investigated by ICE HSI, FBI, and CBP with assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit. "This case exemplifies the critical role of collaboration among our federal partners in defending our national security interests," said CBP Director Marty C. Raybon.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge and not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Information from this article can be found here.