The two Chinese citizens are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements and visa fraud in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

Federal officials say the noxious fungus causes "head blight," a disease of wheat, barley, maize and rice.

The fungus is responsible for large economic losses worldwide and its toxins can cause illness in humans, livestock, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit.

Two Chinese citizens are accused of smuggling into the United States a fungus that causes a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice so that one of them could research the pathogen at a University of Michigan lab, where the other works.

"The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals — including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party — are of the gravest national security concer

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