NIH Lab Researchers Charged Over Alleged Mpox Smuggling
TL;DR
Two NIH scientists at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, were charged with conspiring to smuggle deactivated mpox from the Republic of Congo into the U.S. and making false statements after authorities found 113 vials (some mpox, chickenpox, and human DNA) during a Detroit-bound shipment; the virus was reportedly deactivated. The case underscores biosafety questions at the lab, with potential penalties up to five years if convicted, and NIH stating it activated enhanced safety protocols and is cooperating with investigators.
- 2 researchers charged with smuggling mpox into the US Politico
- FBI: NIH scientists accused of smuggling monkeypox into US through Detroit Metro Airport ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4
- Senior NIH scientist, research fellow charged with bringing deactivated mpox virus into U.S. statnews.com
- Montana researchers accused of smuggling Monkeypox into the U.S. from the Republic of Congo Nonstop Local News Montana
- Foreign nationals working at NIH charged with smuggling monkeypox into US at Metro Airport FOX 2 Detroit
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