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Two Chinese nationals allegedly smuggled in a fungus described as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” a press release issued by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Tuesday said.
According to the release, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were arrested and face charges of conspiracy, smuggling goods into the country, false statements, as well as visa fraud.
The Jian and Lui are a couple, according to the release.
The fungus they are charged with smuggling is called fusarium graminearum. It can cause a disease called “head blight” that infects major staple crops such as wheat, barley, maize and rice, the release said.
Both humans and animals exposed to fusarium graminearum can experience liver damage, birth defects and vomiting.
Jian is accused in the complaint of having “loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.” She was given funding for research on the fungus by the Chinese government.
According to the release, Jian’s boyfriend Liu has been doing research on the fungus at a Chinese university he works for.
Liu is accused of lying about bringing the fungus in through the Detroit Metropolitan airport.
Jian is scheduled to appear in court in Detroit on these charges Tuesday.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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