In a case raising serious alarms across U.S. agricultural and security sectors, federal agents have arrested Yunqing Jian, a Chinese national and visiting researcher, for allegedly smuggling a deadly strain of fungus into the country.
According to FBI sources, Jian attempted to bring the fungus identified as a variant of Magnaporthe oryzae into the United States under the guise of agricultural research. This pathogen is known to devastate crops like rice, wheat, and barley and has no known treatment.
The arrest took place in Boston after a six-month joint investigation by the FBI and the Department of Agriculture. Officials say the operation prevented what could have been one of the most significant acts of “agroterrorism” in American history.
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“This was a biological weapon against our food supply,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Had this fungus spread, it could’ve caused billions in damages and food shortages.”
Jian, who had ties to two universities in China and one U.S. lab, is being held without bail and faces charges under the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act.
China has denied any state involvement and called the arrest “politically motivated.” U.S. lawmakers, however, are demanding a full review of all foreign-funded research in sensitive sectors.
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