(BLOOMINGTON) - A postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University is facing federal charges after investigators say he smuggled biological materials into the United States hidden in shipments labeled as women's underwear.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Friday that Youhuang Xiang, a Chinese national working at IU on a J-1 visa, has been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, and making false statements.
According to a criminal complaint, Xiang allegedly arranged for plasmid DNA derived from E. coli to be shipped from China to his Bloomington residence. Investigators say the package was falsely declared as women's underwear to avoid detection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Federal authorities say Xiang admitted during an interview at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport that the biological material was sent to him for research and that the misleading label was used to bypass inspections.
The FBI says Xiang had been working on plant genome research at Indiana University and previously had ties to Chinese government-overseen laboratories. The investigation began after a tip alerted agents to possible smuggling of biological pathogens by U.S.-based researchers.
In announcing the charges, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau will not tolerate attempts to bypass U.S. laws or exploit American research institutions.
Indiana University released a statement saying it expects all faculty and staff to follow university policy and state and federal law, adding it is cooperating with authorities. The university did not comment directly on the charges.
Xiang was charged in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. No court appearance date has been announced.