Two researchers employed at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle biological materials, including deactivated mpox virus samples, into the United States from the Republic of Congo, according to federal authorities.
The criminal complaint, unsealed on June 2, 2026, names Vincent Munster, a 53-year-old Dutch citizen and chief of the Virus Ecology Section at NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, and Claude Kwe, a 38-year-old Cameroonian research fellow working in the same laboratory. Both men face charges of conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and making false statements to federal investigators.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on January 25, 2026, when Munster and Kwe arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after traveling from Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, where a significant mpox outbreak had been ongoing. Federal authorities allege that the researchers falsely informed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers that a large black case in their possession contained diagnostic and testing equipment.
A subsequent inspection involving CBP officers and FBI agents reportedly uncovered 113 vials stored inside Styrofoam coolers. Laboratory testing conducted on a portion of the seized materials revealed that 17 vials contained deactivated mpox virus, one contained varicella-zoster virus (the virus responsible for chickenpox), and two contained human DNA. Authorities stated that only 20 of the 113 vials had been tested at the time the complaint was filed.
Federal prosecutors noted that both researchers worked at a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) facility, the highest level of laboratory containment used for studying dangerous pathogens with the potential to cause severe disease in humans. Their research focused on emerging viral pathogens and understanding how viruses cross from animals to humans.
Court documents allege that neither researcher properly declared the biological materials nor obtained the required authorization to transport them into the country. Investigators further claim that Munster denied carrying biological samples during questioning by authorities. The FBI affidavit states that he later suggested documentation existed on his laptop and allegedly remarked that such procedures were routine.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. stated that the allegations involve the transportation of viral pathogens aboard a commercial flight originating from an active outbreak region. Federal officials emphasized that strict regulations govern the movement of infectious and potentially hazardous biological materials across international borders.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said the allegations demonstrate that scientific credentials do not place individuals above the law. Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General also described the alleged concealment of biological materials as a breach of public trust that could potentially create public health risks.
Customs and Border Protection officials similarly stated that authorities remain vigilant against biological threats and attempts to circumvent border security procedures.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by an orthopoxvirus. The illness can produce symptoms including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. Although most patients recover, severe disease can occur in some cases. The World Health Organization officially adopted the name "mpox" in 2022 to reduce stigma associated with the previous terminology.
The Republic of Congo recently experienced a major mpox outbreak that resulted in thousands of deaths before authorities declared the outbreak over in April 2026. The outbreak heightened global attention toward surveillance and research involving the virus.
The NIH acknowledged the ongoing investigation and stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement authorities. However, the agency declined to provide additional details, citing both the active investigation and personnel-related considerations.
Munster and Kwe were expected to appear in federal court in Missoula, Montana. If convicted, each could face a maximum prison sentence of five years. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the criminal complaint represents allegations only, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
(Rh/ARC)