Chengxuan Han, a Chinese national and Ph.D. student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, was sentenced to time served, equal to three months in custody, for smuggling biological materials into the United States and lying about her shipments. Court records show that Han sent concealed biological materials to associates at a University of Michigan laboratory several times in 2024 and 2025, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
On June 8, Han arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa, where a customs inspection revealed her electronic devices had been recently wiped. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Han later admitted in interviews with the FBI and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations that she shipped packages containing roundworm-related biomaterials and lied to officials during the inspection. After sentencing, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. stated, “It is a privilege to study at one of our elite institutions. Aliens should not be abusing our hospitality by smuggling unknown biomaterials into America and then lying about it,” noting that Han will be deported and barred from reentering the United States.
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman said, "Today's sentencing reinforces the FBI's unwavering commitment to protecting Americans from individuals who attempt to illegally import biological materials into our country." Han was convicted through joint efforts of the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations. ICE HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz stated, "This case highlights the importance of collaboration among federal agencies to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law," as mentioned by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
