Toxic fungus smuggled into U.S. (FBI)
The fungus causes $1 billion in global damage to crops each year, according to the feds.
The FBI is conducting the investigation along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
While Liu appeared to deny knowledge of the case, Jian allegedly received funding from the CCP for her work on the fungus inside China.
China was also determined by several entities to be the culprit for the release of the coronavirus pathogen that caused a global pandemic in 2020.
CBP OFFICERS SEIZE OVER $14M OF ALLEGED METHAMPHETAMINE AT SOUTHERN BORDER
Baggies seized by Border Patrol containing the dangerous fungus fusarium graminearum (FBI)
FBI Director Kash Patel said the fungus involved poses a serious national security threat to the domestic food supply.
CBP Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon said the criminal charges levied against Jian and Liu "are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans…"
The University of Michigan also responded to the incident, saying that "as one of the world’s leading public research institutions, [it] is dedicated to advancing knowledge, solving challenging problems and improving nearly every facet of the human experience. Our research enterprise across all three campuses is united in this commitment to serving the people of Michigan and the world."
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"We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission," the university said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
"It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals. We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution."
Fox News' Rich Edson and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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