WASHINGTON, D.C. – A post-doctoral researcher from China has been charged with smuggling E. coli bacteria into the United States after federal agents discovered the biological materials concealed in a package shipped from overseas, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Friday.
Youhuang Xiang, who was working at an undisclosed American university on a J-1 visa, faces charges of smuggling biological materials and making false statements to federal investigators. The case represents the latest in a series of arrests involving foreign researchers accused of circumventing U.S. biosecurity protocols.
According to federal authorities, Xiang received E. coli bacteria hidden in a package that originated from China. The method of concealment and the specific strain of bacteria involved have not been disclosed, though officials emphasized the potential dangers posed by unregulated biological imports.
“This is yet another example of a researcher from China, given the privilege to work at a U.S. university, who then allegedly chose to take part in a scheme to circumvent U.S. laws and receive biological materials hidden in a package originating from China,” Patel said in a statement.
The FBI director warned that the consequences of such smuggling could be severe for American agriculture and the economy. “If not properly controlled, E. coli and other biological materials could inflict devastating disease to U.S. crops and cause significant financial loss to the U.S. economy,” Patel added.
The FBI’s Indianapolis and Chicago field offices led the investigation, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The multi-agency effort reflects heightened scrutiny of foreign researchers following a series of similar cases in recent years.
Patel used the announcement to urge universities across the country to educate their researchers about proper protocols for importing biological materials. “Ensure your researchers know that there is a correct and legal way to obtain a license to import/export approved biological materials, and it must be followed without exception,” he said.
The university where Xiang was employed has not been publicly identified. Federal authorities declined to comment on whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the case.
