– University of Florida employee smuggles drugs and toxins causing whooping cough to China
– Elaborate smuggling scheme involving University of Florida students and drugs/toxins causing whooping cough in China.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A shocking revelation has come to light as a University of Florida research employee and students have been implicated in an illegal scheme that involved the illicit shipment of dangerous drugs and toxins to China over a span of seven years. The Justice Department has been investigating this multi-million dollar operation, which saw thousands of biochemical samples illegally purchased and shipped overseas.
Students Tied to the Scheme
One of the students involved in the scheme is Nongnong ‘Leticia’ Zheng, the president of UF’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association. This group had openly protested against a Florida law signed by Governor Ron De Santis last year, which restricts universities from recruiting students and faculty from China and prohibits Chinese students from working in academic labs without special permission.
The Investigation and Charges
Zheng confirmed that she had been notified by a federal prosecutor last year about being the target of a grand jury investigation. She has been assigned a federal public defender and faces potential criminal charges. It is unclear if the UF research employee or other students involved in the scheme have been charged or arrested yet.
The materials smuggled to China included purified proteins of the cholera toxin and pertussis toxin, along with small amounts of drugs like fentanyl, morphine, MDMA, and cocaine. These substances, which cannot legally be exported to China, were used for calibrating scientific or medical devices.
Impact on Zheng
Zheng, a senior marketing major at UF, claims that she was deceived and victimized by the organizers of the scheme. She stated that she was unaware of the nature of the substances she was asked to order and only realized the gravity of the situation when contacted by the Justice Department.
Despite her plea for help and understanding, Zheng faces potential legal repercussions for her involvement in the scheme. She hopes to be allowed to complete her degree and questions the lack of protective policies at the university.
Broader Implications
The revelation of this illegal scheme has sparked debate about countering China’s global influence and curtailing its reach. Florida’s strict laws targeting Chinese nationals and the ban on platforms like TikTok in educational institutions reflect growing concerns about foreign interference.
Professor Eric Jing Du expressed concern about the impact of such investigations on international students and urged decision-makers to consider the contributions of students from countries of concern. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to prevent further discrimination.
Ringleader Pleads Guilty
The alleged ringleader of the scheme, Pen ‘Ben’ Yu, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a substantial prison sentence and fine for his role in orchestrating the illegal operation. Yu directed Zheng to place fraudulent orders using a credit card provided to her, leading to the shipment of illicit materials to China.
As the investigation unfolds, the University of Florida has pledged to cooperate with the Justice Department and take appropriate administrative actions against those involved in the scheme.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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– University of Florida employee students drugs toxin whooping cough China elaborate smuggling scam
– Florida employee students drugs toxin whooping cough China elaborate smuggling scam.
