In a “national security” threat, two Chinese nationals have been charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly conspiring to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States terming it a “potential agroterrorism weapon”. During the investigation, the FBI found that one of them was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud. While Jian is currently in US custody, Liu’s whereabouts remain unknown.The US justice department said that the two individuals conspired to illegally bring Fusarium graminearum—a fungus that causes “head blight” in crops like wheat, barley, maize, and rice—into the States.“These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” US attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr said.

How dangerous is the ‘toxic fungus’

According to scientific research, the fungus is considered a potential agroterrorism threat due to its ability to inflict billions of dollars in agricultural damage annually. It can also pose serious health risks, including vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in both humans and animals.“This noxious fungus causes ‘head blight,’ a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Fusarium graminearum’s toxins cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock,” US department of justice said.FBI recovered a scientific article on Liu’s phone titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions,” bolstering suspicions of deliberate intent. The pathogen was allegedly intended for unauthorized research at a University of Michigan lab where Liu’s partner, Yunqing Jian, worked. The university lacked the federal permits required to handle such material.