Shocking Case: Scientists accused of smuggling deactivated Mpox virus into America

The accused have been identified as Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, both associated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Munster, a 53-year-old citizen of the Netherlands, serves as Chief of the Virus Ecology Section in the Laboratory of Virology at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana. Kwe, a 38-year-old citizen of Cameroon, is a research fellow in the same section. Their work focuses on emerging viral pathogens and how they cross species barriers. Both operate within a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory, which is designed for handling the most dangerous known infectious agents under strict containment protocols.

According to the criminal complaint, on January 25, 2026, Munster and Kwe arrived at the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after travelling from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where a monkeypox outbreak was reported. During routine inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, the two scientists were found carrying a large black plastic case.

They allegedly told CBP officers that the case contained diagnostic and testing equipment. However, subsequent investigation by CBP and FBI agents revealed that it contained 113 vials stored in Styrofoam coolers. Of these, FBI testing found 20 vials to contain deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus, and two contained only human DNA.

U.S. Attorney Gorgon said the case involves serious allegations of unlawful transport of viral material on a commercial flight from an outbreak region, adding that “no researcher is above the law.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan described the matter as a significant breach involving alleged smuggling and misrepresentation to federal authorities.

Both Munster and Kwe face a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted.