– University of Florida employee involved in drug trafficking plot
– College students implicated in scheme to transport toxins to China.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A University of Florida research employee and students have been linked to an illegal scheme investigated by the Justice Department. The scheme involved the fraudulent purchase of thousands of biochemical samples of dangerous drugs and toxins, which were then shipped to China over a period of seven years. Federal court records reveal the extent of the operation and the individuals involved in this illicit activity.
Implications for Students and Employee
Among the students involved in the scheme was the president of UF’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Nongnong “Leticia” Zheng. Zheng confirmed that she was notified by a federal prosecutor about being the target of a grand jury investigation. The Justice Department was preparing to seek criminal charges against her, and she has been assigned a federal public defender. The UF research employee implicated in the scheme worked in the stockroom of one of the university’s research labs, according to prosecutors.
Illegal Shipment of Biochemical Samples
The materials smuggled to China included dangerous substances such as purified cholera toxin, pertussis toxin, fentanyl, morphine, MDMA, cocaine, and more. These substances are highly regulated and cannot legally be exported to China. The scheme involved the purchase of these substances under false pretenses and their subsequent shipment to China, violating export laws and regulations.
Involvement of UF Students
Multiple UF students were involved in the scheme, with some students allowing the use of their UF email addresses to order the illicit substances. The organizers of the scheme paid students and the research employee with various incentives, including gift cards, trips, and loans. The extent of the involvement of other students and the consequences they may face remains unclear.
Cooperation with Justice Department
The University of Florida has been cooperating with the Justice Department in the investigation. The university stated that employees who break the law will be separated from employment, and students who break the law will face suspension. The full extent of administrative actions and any potential repercussions for those involved in the scheme will be revealed as the criminal case unfolds.
Policy Debate and National Security Concerns
The scheme’s unraveling has ignited a policy debate over countering China’s influence and ensuring national security. Lawmakers, including Sen. Marco Rubio, have raised concerns about foreign interference efforts targeting universities. The implications of this scheme are likely to impact future policies regarding international student recruitment and collaboration with foreign entities.
Conclusion
The biochemical fraud scheme involving the University of Florida has raised significant concerns about national security, academic integrity, and export regulations. The involvement of students and a research employee in this illegal operation underscores the importance of vigilance and oversight in research institutions. The full consequences of this scheme and its impact on the university and its students remain to be seen as the investigation continues.
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1. “UF employee students plot ship drugs toxins China”
2. “UF employee students conspiracy ship narcotics poisons China”.
