“A Russian national has been arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle clawed frog embryos and embryonic samples into the United States. Kseniia Petrova, 31, a Russian citizen, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of smuggling goods into the United States. Petrova was taken into immigration custody Feb 16. She was arrested earlier today on the criminal charge.”
“According to the charging documents, on Feb 16, 2025, Petrova arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston via an inbound flight from Paris. Upon her arrival, Petrova was stopped by Customs and Border Protection agents after a law enforcement canine allegedly alerted its handler to the defendant’s checked duffel bag on the baggage carousel. Per protocol, law enforcement removed the bag from the carousel and brought it to an agricultural secondary inspection area for further screening. There, an officer inspected the contents of the bag and allegedly discovered the biological items: a foam box containing clawed frog embryos in microcentrifuges, as well as embryonic samples in paraffin well stages and on mounted dyed slides. All biological products require a permit for entry and require the individual to make a declaration to Customs and Border Protection at the port of first arrival. It is alleged that, when approached by law enforcement, Petrova initially denied carrying any biological material in her checked baggage. However, when asked again, Petrova allegedly admitted that she was carrying biological material.”
“During an interview under oath, Petrova allegedly claimed to be unsure that she was required to declare biological material when entering the United States,” says a DOJ press release.
Wow, sounds scary right? Except Petrova’s a fucking Harvard scientist who, according to her attorney, was only indicted because a judge overseeing her lawsuit against ICE had set a bail hearing for May 28th. That’s why they indicted her, so they could try to keep her in custody. For “smuggling” goddamned frog samples into the United States they could’ve just confiscated.
Petrova fled Russia in 2022 for speaking up against dictator Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine. “If I go back, I am afraid I will be imprisoned because of my political position and my position against war,” she said. Probably not unrelated to the Trump regime’s attempts to deport her.