Federal officials have accused a scientist born in Russia of 30 years of trying to smuggle frog embryos to the United States.
Harvard University researcher is identified as Kseniia Petrova, who was arrested in February, The Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday said Wednesday.
The authorities sent her to an immigration and customs control installation (ICE) of the United States in Louisiana after she was in custody, and is waiting for a judge’s decision to deport her to Russia.
In a press release on Wednesday, the United States Prosecutor’s Office for the Massachusetts district announced that Petrova, a Russian citizen, was accused of a position of smuggling of goods in the United States and arrested Wednesday, according to the position.
The lawyer’s office continued:
According to the loading documents, on February 16, 2025, Petrova artined at Logan International Airport in Boston through an incoming flight from Paris. Upon arrival, Petrova was arrested by customs agents and border protection after a police canine allegedly alerted his manager of the accused controlled canvas bag in the luggage carousel. For each protocol, the police removed the carousel stock market and led it to an agricultural secondary inspection area for greater detection. There, an officer inspected the content of the bag and allegedly discovered the biological elements: a foam box that contains rana embryos Claeded in Micrentrentifugas, as well as embryonic samples in stages of paraffin wells and in mounted dyed slides. All biological products require a permit for entry and require the individual to make a statement to the protection of customs and borders in the port of the first arrival.
It is alleged that, when the police are addressed, Petrova initially denied having taken any biological material in his invoiced luggage. However, when asked again, Petrova supposedly admitted that he carried biological material.
He allegedly stated that he was not sure that he had to declare such material upon entering the country.
“However, according to the loading documents, Petrova’s phone revealed texts of an individual identified as one of Petrova’s colleagues who informed Petrova that he was required to declare the biological material,” said the office of the United States prosecutor.
“It is alleged that in annother text Message conversation with an individual identified as main investigator, Petrova was asked how we planned to get This Customs with the Biological Samples, to Who Are Reply: Ethall. I Won, The Ethall. I Won. I WON.
According to the reports, Petrova said that he did not know that the articles should be declared and denied trying to smuggle anything to the country, according to the Eagle Ap, which was later informed that his visa was in a can.
The AP reported in April that Petrova fears that it is locked or worse if it is deported to Russia.
“If I return, I’m afraid it will be imprisoned due to my political position and my position against war,” he said.
In a social media post on Thursday, the Department of National Security (DHS) shared A screenshot of the head of a CBS news report on charges against Petrova.
The agency said: “Reminder: The individual was legally arrested after lying to federal officers about bringing substances to the country. A posterior K9 inspection discovered non -declared Petri dishes, containers of unknown substances and loose roads of embryonic frog cells, all without adequate permissions.”
“The messages found on the phone revealed that he planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring the issue. Knowing that he broke the law and deliberate steps to evade it,” says the publication:
Meanwhile, the US Prosecutor. UU. Leah B. Foley addressed The case of Petrova in a video posted on Wednesday.
“The rule of law does not have a size for educated people with Pedigrí. The Visa of the United States than Mrs.
“The alleged lies of Mrs. Petrova and the contempt for the health and safety of others have resulted in today in criminal positions. It is unfortunate that the New York Times He allowed his alleged lies to perpetuate with the guest essay of Mrs. Petrova, “said Foley.” Another instance of the media that does not allow the facts to intervene in the path of a good story. “