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Harvard Researcher Indicted for Alleged Frog Embryo Smuggling
Boston – A Harvard University Medical School researcher has been indicted on smuggling charges after allegedly attempting to bring frozen frog embryos into the United States.
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian national, faces charges of smuggling goods into the U.S., making false statements, and concealment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Petrova was detained by Customs and Border Protection agents at Boston’s Logan International Airport on February 16 after arriving from Paris. A law enforcement dog alerted to her checked bag, which was found to contain a foam box holding clawed frog embryos and embryonic samples.
Initially, Petrova denied having any biological materials, but later admitted to possessing the embryos. She claimed uncertainty about declaration requirements, despite text messages suggesting she knew she needed to declare the samples and was trying to devise a plan to get through customs. One text even stated, “I won’t be able to swallow them.”
Petrova stated she was bringing the embryos from France for research purposes at the behest of her Harvard supervisor. She was held in ICE custody for three months before being released in mid-May, only to be transferred to U.S.
Marshals Service custody on criminal charges. She was later granted bail.
If convicted, Petrova faces up to 20 years in prison for smuggling, up to five years for each of the false statement and concealment charges, and substantial fines. Her lawyer argues that the case should be treated as a minor infraction and that the extended detention was an attempt to justify deportation. Petrova is currently awaiting trial.