Attempted to research fungus that causes head blight at the University of Michigan
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that two Chinese nationals have been charged with allegedly smuggling the fungus “fusarium graminearum” to the United States for potential use as an agroterrorism weapon. The two suspects were allegedly receiving funding from the People’s Republic of China to research the fungal strain and were transporting samples of the species to the University of Michigan for research.
The Justice Department reported that fusarium graminearum creates “head blight,” a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and “is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that her department “has no higher mission than keeping the American people safe and protecting our nation from hostile foreign actors who would do us harm.”
“Thanks to the hard work of our excellent DOJ attorneys, this defendant — who clandestinely attempted to bring a destructive substance into the United States — will face years behind bars,” the attorney general said.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Attorney General Bondi and officials in the Justice Department.
- For FBI Director Kash Patel, Deputy Director Bongino, and agents as they seek to prevent terrorist activity.
Sources: ABC News, Fox News, MSN
