Three individuals from China have been formally accused of attempting to smuggle biological materials into the United States while employed at a research lab at the University of Michigan.

According to prosecutors, Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30, were indicted on Wednesday. The charges stem from allegations that they provided false information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to bring materials connected to roundworms from China, under the guise of conducting research at the university.

All three worked at the Shawn Xu laboratory at the University of Michigan. Previously, another former lab employee, Chengxuan Han, faced charges related to smuggling and false statements. Han entered a plea of no contest before being deported from the United States.

Following Han’s deportation, the university initiated an internal inquiry. However, Bai, Zhang, and Zhang chose not to participate in the investigation, resulting in their dismissal from the university and subsequent eligibility for deportation. On October 16, the trio attempted to leave the U.S. for China, departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, but were intercepted for additional scrutiny.

Chengxuan Han’s deportation followed her no-contest plea to the charges against her, as documented by the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office.

Here’s what we know about the three Chinese nationals charged:

Xu Bai

Bai was in the U.S. under the J-1 visa academic exchange program at the University of Michigan and charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States.

Han, a researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, allegedly sent Bai a shipment that was intercepted by CBP. While the package was described as “doc” in the manifest, a further inspection allegedly found a book with an “envelope tucked into the middle of the pages.”

Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30, were charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the U.S. (Adek Berry)

According to court documents, the envelope allegedly contained a “handwritten note with 28 shapes and a labeling scheme with each shape.” Prosecutors allege that the labels instead contained “biological materials related to round worms.”

Bai allegedly refused to cooperate with CBP officials as well as an internal investigation by the University of Michigan. When Bai was interviewed by CBP at John F. Kennedy International Airport, he allegedly said that Han is a Chinese Communist Party member and a leader of the biology department at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Bai was terminated by the University of Michigan in October after he refused to participate in an internal investigation under advice of his lawyer, according to court documents, adding he was trying to fly back to China to continue studying at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Court documents indicate he shared an apartment with Zhang.

A package seized by CBP agents allegedly contained a plasmids biological sample mailed by Chengxuan Han. (Department of Justice)

Fengfan Zhang

Zhang was also in the U.S. under the J-1 visa academic exchange program at the University of Michigan and charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States.

Han allegedly sent five packages to Zhang under the name “Dylan Zhang” which contained the following biological materials:

– “PRK 5” plasmids

– “C. elegans with genetic modifications”

– “HA Cluk1 Rat” plasmids

Prosecutors allege that all of the shipments were improperly manifested as “glass sheet” and “doc.”

During an interview with CBP in October, Zhang became “nervous” when asked if he received packages from Han. He was terminated from the University of Michigan in October and lost his visa status. He was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Oct. 16 with the other co-defendants.

Zhiyong Zhang

Zhang was in the U.S. under the J-1 visa academic exchange program at the University of Michigan and charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States.

Between 2019 and 2023, Zhang allegedly sent several packages from Huazhong University of Science and Technology that were manifested as “plastic plates.” When one of the packages was intercepted by CBP, they allegedly found they contained “petri dishes containing nematodes.”

He was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Oct. 16 with the other co-defendants.

A package seized by CBP agents allegedly contained eight Petri dishes containing biological materials mailed by Chengxuan Han. (Department of Justice)

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement that the incident shows the need for universities to change their admissions procedures.

“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” Lyons said. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security.”

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said the alleged criminal activity by the researchers is part of a pattern.

“These three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan,” Gorgen said.