NIH Researchers Allegedly Smuggled Monkeypox Into America, Lied About It

Federal authorities accused two U.S.-funded researchers of smuggling the monkeypox virus into the country in a newly unsealed complaint.

Drs. Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe arrived from the Republic of the Congo to Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan with a case containing tubes of the disease — and lied about it to federal agents, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged in the Friday filing. The two arrestees worked for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, their professionalprofiles show.

“This matter is currently under investigation, and NIH is cooperating fully with law enforcement and appropriate authorities,” the NIH told the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation.

“Upon notification, NIH leadership immediately activated established agency protocols to safeguard related laboratory facilities, research materials, and biological samples,” the agency said.

Court records do not list an attorney for the defendants.

Border security agents questioned Munster and Kwe in January at the airport about a large black plastic case they carried, according to the DOJ. The scientists falsely said the case contained “diagnostics” and “testing equipment,” the DOJ alleged.

Agents asked Munster to provide proper documents for the luggage, the DOJ said. “You won’t need them. I do this all the time,” Munster allegedly replied.