Dan Bongino Announces Arrests in Chinese Bio-Smuggling Case, Vows to ‘Protect the Homeland’
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino has announced the arrest of three Chinese nationals accused of attempting to smuggle biological materials into the United States, marking the latest development in what authorities describe as an ongoing effort to counter foreign threats to national security.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Bongino revealed that Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang, all identified as research scholars from China, have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials and making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
“An update for you on our efforts to protect the homeland: THREE research scholars from China – Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang – have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers,” Bongino wrote.
“These are the latest charges in a string of cases stemming from Chinese national students’ criminal activities at university research centers,” he added, underscoring what U.S. officials have described as a persistent pattern of illicit research-related activity linked to Chinese nationals operating within American academic institutions.
Bongino’s announcement signals heightened federal scrutiny of potential biosecurity risks and reinforces the government’s stated commitment to “protect the homeland” from covert foreign influence and smuggling operations involving sensitive biological materials.
An update for you on our efforts to protect the homeland:
THREE research scholars from China – Xu Bai, Fergfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang – have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) November 6, 2025
FBI Warns Against Exploiting U.S. Institutions After Arrests in Chinese Bio-Smuggling Case
“FBI Counterintelligence will NOT tolerate any attempt to exploit American institutions to break the law, and we remain dedicated to protecting our communities and our educational institutions from threats like these,” Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino wrote in a statement.
“Your government partnerships are hard at work protecting YOU and your community every day,” he added.
According to the Department of Justice, the three arrested researchers—Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang—were all affiliated with the University of Michigan, bringing to six the number of Chinese nationals connected with the university who have faced federal charges this year.
In June, another Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, who has since been deported, was charged with smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements, according to a DOJ news release. That case followed the arrests of Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34, who were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, as reported by the New York Post. The pair were accused of attempting to bring into the U.S. a fungus that causes disease in grain crops, allegedly for research purposes at a University of Michigan laboratory.
In the most recent case, Bai, 28; F. Zhang, 27; and Z. Zhang, 30, were charged in a conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States, according to the DOJ.
“Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America’s generosity to advance a malicious agenda.”
“At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, 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. This is a threat to our collective security,” added U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr.
Court filings show that Bai and F. Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials, while Z. Zhang was charged with making false statements to federal agents. The criminal complaint alleges that in 2024 and 2025, Bai and F. Zhang received biological materials related to roundworms from Han, who had previously pleaded no contest to multiple counts of smuggling and false statements before being deported.
Han’s arrest reportedly triggered a wider investigation, during which Bai, F. Zhang, and Z. Zhang refused to cooperate and were subsequently terminated by the university. Authorities say the suspects then attempted to flee the country but were unsuccessful.
“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” said Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security, as demonstrated in this instance.”
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed those concerns, emphasizing that the agency will continue to pursue such cases aggressively.
“These charges show the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate our laws, and that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity,” Patel said. “The Chinese nationals charged today allegedly were involved in smuggling biological materials into the U.S. on several occasions. The FBI and our partners are committed to defending the homeland and stopping any illegal smuggling into our country.”
