DETROIT (Diya TV) — A Chinese scientist from Wuhan was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport over the weekend for allegedly attempting to smuggle biological material into the United States, marking the second such case involving Chinese researchers in recent days.

According to a federal court filing unsealed Monday, the woman, identified as a graduate student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, had just arrived in Detroit on a flight from China. Authorities say she intended to conduct research at the University of Michigan for a year-long project.

However, the FBI alleges she previously sent undeclared biological samples, including one concealed in an envelope hidden inside a book, to lab staff at the university. The materials reportedly included samples of certain worms used in research and require special permits for import under U.S. law.

“These guidelines exist to protect public health and the integrity of our scientific institutions,” said John Nowak, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Actions like this undermine the legitimate work of visiting scholars.”

The woman was taken into custody on Sunday following an interview by federal agents. Authorities have not publicly identified her by name as of Monday evening.

The FBI’s affidavit did not specify whether the biological materials posed a health threat. However, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized the broader implications. “Smuggling biological materials—even those not considered hazardous—violates federal law and threatens our security,” Gorgon said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

This case follows closely on the heels of a separate, but similar investigation. Just last week, federal prosecutors charged two other Chinese nationals with conspiring to smuggle a toxic fungus into the country. One of the individuals, a researcher also affiliated with the University of Michigan, was arrested and remains in custody. The second was denied entry at the Detroit airport last year and sent back to China.

The two cases appear unrelated, but they have drawn renewed attention to the protocols surrounding international scientific collaboration and the importation of foreign biological specimens for research. The U.S. government maintains strict guidelines for the transport of such materials, especially when they involve potentially invasive species, toxic pathogens, or genetically altered organisms.

Federal authorities say the recent arrests are not indicative of broader diplomatic tensions, but they are a clear reminder of the importance of transparency and regulation in global research partnerships.

While the court filing did not allege any ties to espionage or deliberate biothreat activity, the origin of the biological material, the concealment method, and the traveler’s Wuhan affiliation have drawn inevitable scrutiny. Wuhan was the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019, which continues to influence perceptions around Chinese research practices and international biosecurity.

The Department of Justice has not commented further on whether additional charges are expected or whether more individuals are under investigation.

The case remains under active review by the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with arraignment expected later this week in federal court in Detroit.