Two Chinese nationals charged with smuggling toxic fungus into U.S.

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with conspiracy and smuggling after attempting to bring a toxic fungus that is a “dangerous biological pathogen” into the United States, the Justice Department said. Prosecutors said Liu attempted to smuggle samples of the fungus from China into the U.S. in July 2024 while visiting Jian, his girlfriend. According to the FBI affidavit, Liu initially told officers he didn’t know how the samples got into his bag. It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. The move has plunged thousands of Chinese students in the United States into uncertainty.