Two Chinese nationals are facing a series of federal charges after allegedly smuggling a crop-destroying fungus into the United States, raising serious national security concerns about potential agroterrorism.

According to a complaint filed Tuesday, Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are accused of importing Fusarium graminearum, a fungus known to cause severe plant diseases, especially in corn, rice, and barley. This pathogen is viewed as a significant threat to the U.S. food supply.

U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced the charges, stating that the two Chinese researchers are being prosecuted for conspiracy, smuggling goods into the country, making false statements, and visa fraud.

Court records indicate that one of the individuals allegedly concealed samples of the fungus in his backpack when entering the United States—an act authorities say could have had devastating effects on American agriculture.

“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals — including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party — are of the gravest national security concerns,” Gorgon said in a statement. “These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America.”

An FBI affidavit states that the researchers planned to study the fungus at a University of Michigan laboratory, although the specific goals of their research were not revealed. The complaint adds that Yunqing Jian had previously received Chinese government funding to work on the pathogen while in China.

FBI Director Kash Patel raised concerns about the broader implications of the case, suggesting it could be part of a larger strategy by the Chinese Communist Party to undermine the U.S. food system.

“I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country,” Patel said in a statement posted to his X account.

“… This fungus can cause a disease called ‘head blight,’ a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, causing significant health issues in both humans and livestock. It is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year,” he added.

Meanwhile, federal officials announced on Sunday that the man arrested for a suspected terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, had planned a mass casualty event using homemade explosives and a makeshift flamethrower.

Authorities say the suspect, Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian national in the U.S. illegally, confessed that he intended to “kill” as many “Zionists” as possible at a demonstration held to advocate for the release of Israeli hostages.

According to Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany, reporting Monday on Outnumbered, Soliman was found carrying 14 Molotov cocktails in addition to the flamethrower used in the attack, which injured eight people, including at least one critically.

He reportedly told authorities he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and expressed a wish that “they were all dead.”

WATCH:

🚨 #BREAKING: Federal authorities just announced they found USAID paperwork in illegal Boulder attacker Mohamed Soliman’s vehicle

WTF?

DEMOCRATS bear a lot of responsibility for this from their propaganda!

He had 14 Molotov cocktails prepared for this mass murder event along… pic.twitter.com/kqJn2QSCfh

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 2, 2025

The FBI has indicated that Soliman’s actions bear all the signs of a classic “lone wolf” attack, heightening concerns over domestic security.

Soliman, 45, is accused of using incendiary devices to burn eight individuals during a daytime attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, where demonstrators had gathered in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Video footage shows a shirtless man, believed to be Soliman, standing menacingly while holding two additional incendiary devices after the initial assault. Authorities responded swiftly and took him into custody without further incident.