Summary
A man from China, who used to work as a researcher in Indiana, admitted to smuggling E. coli DNA into the U.S. by hiding it in a package labeled as women's underwear. This was done to avoid detection by customs officers. He was found guilty and sentenced to prison, fined, and will be deported after serving his sentence.
Key Facts
- Youhuang Xiang, a Chinese national, admitted to smuggling E. coli DNA into the U.S.
- He concealed the bacteria in a package falsely labeled as women's underwear.
- The bacteria were shipped to his home in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Xiang previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University.
- The FBI began investigating after noticing unusual shipments from China to the university.
- He was detained in November 2025 and later pleaded guilty to smuggling.
- Xiang was sentenced to over four months in prison and fined $500.
- He will be deported to China after completing his prison sentence.
