Great Lakes Wire

Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to three counts of smuggling and making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., with support from leaders at the FBI Detroit Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit.

Court records show that Han is a Ph.D. student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China. In 2024 and 2025, she shipped multiple packages containing concealed biological material from China to individuals connected with a laboratory at the University of Michigan. On June 8, 2025, Han arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a J1 visa. During an inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers, Han made false statements about the shipments and the nature of their contents. Authorities also found that data on her electronic device had been deleted three days before her arrival.

Following further questioning by agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, Han admitted to sending packages containing biological materials related to round worms and acknowledged lying during her initial inspection.

United States Attorney Gorgon said: “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. The folks who keep us safe must know what aliens like the defendant are bringing into our country. And these convictions are a small but important step in that direction.”

Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office stated: "Today's sentencing reinforces the FBI's unwavering commitment to protecting Americans from individuals who attempt to illegally import biological materials into our country,” adding thanks for interagency cooperation in securing this prosecution.

Marty C. Raybon, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said: “While the criminal outcome could have been far worse for Ms. Han, she will be removed from the U.S. and barred from reentry as the result of her actions,” emphasizing ongoing interagency efforts against threats crossing national borders.

Matthew Stentz, acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE HSI Detroit said: “Smuggling biological materials into the United States poses a serious threat, and HSI remains committed to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt such activities,” noting federal agency collaboration as key for community protection.

The investigation involved coordination between the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations.