DOJ: Chinese Nationals at University of Michigan Smuggled Biological Samples

Three research scholars from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) were charged today in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

These are the latest charges in a long string of cases stemming from the University of Michigan’s international research activities.

Charged were Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27 and Zhiyong Zhang, 30. Bai and F. Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and Z. Zhang was charged with making false statements to federal agents. All three men were research scholars holding J-1 visas who were conducting research at the UM laboratory of Xianzhong Xu, commonly referred to as the Shawn Xu laboratory.

“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. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America’s generosity to advance a malicious agenda.”

BREAKING: DOJ charges 3 more Chinese nationals at Univ. of Michigan for smuggling biological materials into the U.S.

"These men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan," said U.S.… pic.twitter.com/Oop9eJ2vjb

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 6, 2025

Court documents say that in 2024 and 2025, Bai and F. Zhang were the recipients of multiple shipments containing concealed biological materials related to roundworms which had been sent from the PRC to the United States by Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the PRC. (Read more from “DOJ: Chinese Nationals at University of Michigan Smuggled Biological Samples” HERE)

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