Two Chinese scientists charged by FBI for smuggling ‘dangerous biological weapon into US’ with ‘agroterrorism fungus'

TWO Chinese scientists have been charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States.

Authorities have claimed this fungus could be used as a "potential agroterrorism weapon".

Researchers Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34 face charges of smuggling goods, conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements, the US Attorney's Office for the eastern district of Michigan announced on Tuesday.

Prosecutors claim Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit Airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory.

Jian, Liu's girlfriend, works at this lab, the prosecutors added.

The FBI says the Fusarium graminearum is classified as a "potential agroterrorism weapon" that can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in