Researchers accused of smuggling mpox virus samples

Two virologists working for a prestigious American research institute have been charged in the state of Michigan with smuggling and making false statements after allegedly trying to illegally introduce vials of inactivated mpox virus (an infection previously known as monkeypox) transported from Africa into the United States without the necessary federal permits. According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court in Detroit, the investigation targets two researchers from the Rocky Mountain Virology Laboratory in Montana, a unit specializing in the study of dangerous pathogens, AFP reports. The two are identified as Vincent Munster (53 years old), a Dutch citizen and head of the Virus Ecology Section, and Claude Kwe (38 years old), an associate researcher, a Cameroonian citizen, according to justice.gov.

• Arrest at Detroit airport

The incident occurred at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, where The two were stopped by customs authorities upon returning from a trip to Africa, with a stopover in Paris. Investigators say vials containing samples of the mpox virus were found in their luggage, transported without the required approvals for biological materials. During interrogation, the two allegedly made statements deemed false by federal authorities, including claims that the necessary documentation existed on a laptop.

• Charges and possible sentences

Federal prosecutors have filed charges of: smuggling biological material; providing false statements to federal agents. If convicted, each of the two researchers faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.

The case highlights the strict regulations governing the transport of pathogens, especially in the context of work in high-level biosafety (BSL-4) laboratories, where some of the most dangerous viruses known are handled.

The investigation is ongoing, and US authorities have not provided any information as of yet. present additional details regarding the motivation for the unauthorized transport of biological samples.