NIH Scientists Charged Over Monkeypox Vial Smuggling Case at Detroit Airport
TL;DR
Two NIH researchers, Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, were charged with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements after arriving at Detroit from Congo with 113 vials. Federal investigators found that 17 of 20 tested vials contained deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus, and two contained human DNA, contradicting the pair’s claim that the box held diagnostics. The case, being pursued by the FBI, CBP and HHS-OIG, carries a potential maximum sentence of five years if convicted.
- Feds charge foreign nationals working at the National Institutes of Health with smuggling monkeypox into the United States and lying about it Department of Justice (.gov)
- 2 scientists charged with bringing deactivated mpox virus into the US and lying to authorities CNN
- FBI: NIH scientists accused of smuggling monkeypox into US through Detroit Metro Airport ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4
- 2 Reseachers Charged With Smuggling Monkey Pocks Into U.S. Through Detroit Metro Airport Deadline Detroit
- 2 NIH researchers charged with allegedly smuggling monkeypox into the US FOX 5 DC
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