Chengxuan HAN, Biological Smuggling, Michigan 2025

Biological Smuggling Charges Filed against University Researcher

A citizen of China, Chengxuan HAN, was arrested and charged with smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

The charges stem from allegations that HAN sent four packages containing concealed biological material to the United States from Wuhan, China in 2024 and 2025. The packages were addressed to individuals associated with a laboratory at the University of Michigan.

On June 8, 2025, HAN arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa. Customs and Border Protection officers conducted an inspection of HAN, during which HAN made false statements about the packages and the biological materials she had previously shipped to the United States.

CBP officers also found that the content of HAN's electronic device had been deleted three days prior to her arrival in the United States. At the conclusion of the border inspection, HAN was interviewed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ICE HSI. During this interview, HAN admitted to sending the packages, admitted that the packages contained biological material related to round worms, and admitted to making false statements to the CBP officers during her inspection.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.

United States Attorney Gorgon stated: “The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China—to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory—is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security. The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions.” “The FBI has zero tolerance for those who violate federal law and remains unwavering in our mission to protect the American people,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. HAN is currently being held in federal custody pending a detention hearing. HAN is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, PRC.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/alien-wuhan-china-charged-making-false-statements-and-smuggling-biological-materials