Wuhan Researcher Arrested in Detroit for Smuggling Biological Materials to University of Michigan

Federal officials say case highlights national security risks tied to foreign academic collaborations

DETROIT – A Chinese national studying in Wuhan has been arrested and charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States and making false statements to federal officers, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced Monday.

Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was taken into custody at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 8. According to a federal complaint, Han is a Ph.D. student at the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, PRC.

Federal investigators allege Han mailed four packages from China in 2024 and 2025 to individuals associated with a University of Michigan laboratory. These packages reportedly contained concealed biological material related to roundworms.

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Upon arrival in the U.S. on a J-1 visa, Han was interviewed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and allegedly lied about the nature of the packages and the materials she had shipped. Authorities say they discovered that Han had deleted data from her electronic device three days before entering the country. During a subsequent interview with the FBI, Han admitted to sending the materials and providing false information to CBP agents.

U.S. Attorney Gorgon called the incident part of a broader concern. “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,” he said. “The American taxpayer should not be underwriting a PRC-based smuggling operation at one of our crucial public institutions.”

CBP Acting Director of Field Operations John Nowak added, “The guidelines for importing biological materials into the U.S. for research purposes are stringent, but clear. Actions like this undermine the legitimate work of other visiting scholars.”

Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit, said the case highlights cross-agency collaboration. “This case should serve as a reminder that multiple law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to provide for our shared national security from malicious foreign actors,” he said.

Han is scheduled to appear in federal court in Detroit Monday afternoon. The FBI, CBP, and HSI are continuing their investigation.