Chinese student arrested for allegedly smuggling undeclared biological materials seen in new mugshot
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Authorities have released a mugshot of the Chinese national accused of smuggling undeclared biological material into the United States. 

Chengxuan Han was initially scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday to face charges of smuggling goods into the U.S. and making false statements, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. However, her detention hearing was cut short after her court-appointed attorney requested more time due to “some additional matters pertinent to the issue of bond.” 

Han is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Ph.D. student at Wuhan’s College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Han is the third Chinese national arrested this month for allegedly smuggling items into the US. University of Michigan post-doctoral research fellow Yunqing Jian and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, were arrested after allegedly bringing an “agroterrorism agent”m into the U.S. to study at a University of Michigan laboratory.

Devices seized from Chinese national's California home

Devices seized from Wen’s home.  (Justice Department)

In 2023, Wen shipped at least three containers of firearms from a California port to China, with North Korea as the ultimate destination, by filing false export information to conceal the contents of the containers. 

Wen used money from a North Korean contact to purchase many of the firearms in Texas before driving them back to California to be shipped, according to the DOJ.

By December 2023, one of the shipments departed the Port of Long Beach and arrived in Hong Kong one month later, with it eventually arriving in North Korea. 

Wen also obtained sensitive technology to send to North Korea, according to prosecutors. The technology consisted of a handheld broadband receiver that detects known, unknown, illegal, disruptive or interfering transmissions and a chemical threat identification device. 

He also looked to acquire a civilian airplane engine and thermal imaging system to be mounted on a drone or aircraft for target identification. 

The entire scheme cost North Korean officials approximately $2 million in wire transfers to Wen, with the funds being used to procure firearms and other goods for the government. 

Wen faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for both charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18. 

Fox News’ Patrick McGovern, Greg Wehner and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Breathtaking Pacific cliff hides deadly secret in rich California city

Discover the Hidden Peril Lurking Beneath a Stunning Pacific Cliff in California’s Elite Enclave

California’s wealthiest suburb, Palos Verdes Estates, is known for its impressive average…
C-reactive protein outranks ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker

C-reactive Protein Surpasses LDL Cholesterol as Primary Indicator of Heart Disease Risk

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United…
Trump’s peace through strength in 2025: where wars stopped and rivals came to the table

Unveiling Trump’s 2025 Peace Strategy: How ‘Strength’ Silenced Conflicts and United Global Rivals

As the year 2025 began, Donald Trump took office with a commitment…
New York needs Elise Stefanik and more: Letters

Why New York’s Future Could Depend on Leaders Like Elise Stefanik: Reader Opinions

Come back, Elise It’s unfortunate that Rep. Elise Stefanik chose not to…
Neighborhood fights back against developers building new apartments

Local Community Rallies Against Developers: The Battle to Preserve Neighborhood Charm

In Houston, a Mexican-American community is expressing deep frustration as developers propose…
Iranian president says his country is at 'total war' with the US, Israel and Europe: reports

Iran Declares ‘Total War’ Against US, Israel, and Europe Amid Escalating Tensions: President’s Bold Statement Sparks Global Concern

Huckabee says Iran’s ‘ultimate goal is to destroy the US’ At a…
Iran declares 'full-scale war' with US as nuclear tensions escalate

Iran Announces Full-Scale Conflict with US Amid Escalating Nuclear Tensions

Iran’s president has declared that the nation is engaged in a “full-scale…
NFL news: Chicago Bears can clinch NFC North with Green Bay Packers loss to Baltimore Ravens, or win over San Francisco 49ers

NFL Update: Chicago Bears Poised to Secure NFC North Title with Packers’ Defeat to Ravens or Victory Against 49ers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Chicago Bears are on the brink of…