Three Chinese scholars from the University of Michigan refused to cooperate with an internal investigation into the smuggling of biological materials into the United States in October, and were intercepted while attempting to leave the country. On the 5th, they were indicted on charges of conspiracy to smuggle and making false statements. FBI Director Bartel stated that academic research cannot be used as an excuse for illegal activities.
On the 5th, the Eastern District of Michigan U.S. Attorney’s Office issued a statement that 28-year-old Xu Bai and 27-year-old Fengfan Zhang (both names romanized) were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States, while 30-year-old Zhiyong Zhang was charged with making false statements to authorities.
All three were visiting scholars holding J-1 visas conducting research in University of Michigan laboratories. The criminal complaint alleges that between 2024 and 2025, Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang received multiple packages from China containing concealed biological materials, which were related to nematodes.
The sender was identified as Chengxuan Han, a Chinese citizen. At the time, Han was pursuing his PhD at a Chinese university and went to the US to work in a University of Michigan laboratory in June 2025. Chengxuan Han has recently pled guilty to three counts of smuggling and one count of making false statements.
The University of Michigan then launched an internal investigation due to Han’s situation, and the three individuals indicted on the 5th “all refused to participate in the investigation” and were subsequently dismissed.
The indictment indicates that on October 8, the University of Michigan revoked the three individuals’ Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records, meaning they no longer satisfied the requirements for their J-1 visas. The Department of Homeland Security subsequently listed them as “removable aliens.”
The three originally booked flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan back to China but did not board the plane as scheduled on October 15. Law enforcement later learned they had rebooked tickets for an October 16 flight departing from New York’s JFK International Airport, where they were intercepted by customs.
During the customs inspection, Zhiyong Zhang denied cooperating with Chengxuan Han and claimed never to have met him. However, his 2025 visa application listed Han as his contact in China.
The investigators wrote in the indictment: "When asked whether he had ever received packages from Chengxuan Han, Zhiyong Zhang exhibited multiple signs of nervousness, including his right eye twitching only when Han was mentioned, and he was unable to fully explain whether he had received any packages."
The other two admitted to receiving packages from Han.
FBI Director Bartel stated that the Chinese citizens indicted on the 5th are suspected of repeatedly smuggling biological materials into the United States, and academic research cannot be used as an excuse for illegal activities.
ICE Acting Director Leon said that this case highlights “the importance of addressing vulnerabilities in foreign student and exchange visitor programs.” “Educational institutions must strengthen admissions procedures to prevent abuse; as shown in this case, such exploitation could pose risks to national security.”