U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a Russian national on charges related to the alleged smuggling of biological material into the United States. Kseniia Petrova, aged 31, was apprehended by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents on May 14, 2025, following her initial detention on February 16, 2025.
Petrova faces a criminal complaint for one count of smuggling goods into the country. According to ICE HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, “As alleged in the evidence presented in the charging documents, Petrova was aware of her requirement to declare biological material brought into the United States.” He emphasized that these regulations are essential for public safety and are enforced when violated.
The charging documents reveal that Petrova arrived at Boston’s Logan International Airport from Paris on February 16. She was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents after a canine allegedly detected something suspicious in her checked duffel bag. An inspection uncovered clawed frog embryos and other embryonic samples which require declaration and permits upon entry.
Initially, Petrova reportedly denied carrying any biological materials but later admitted to it under further questioning. Her phone contained text messages indicating she had been informed by colleagues about the necessity of declaring such items at customs.
Text exchanges with her principal investigator also highlighted concerns about passing through American customs with the samples. When asked about her plan for customs clearance, Petrova allegedly replied: “No plan yet. I won’t be able to swallow them.”
Petrova was advised she was not eligible for entry into the U.S., leading her to withdraw her admission application voluntarily before being taken into custody.
Her professional background includes recent employment at Moscow’s Institute of Genetic Biology and prior work as a bioinformatician at the Moscow Center for Genetics.
If convicted of smuggling goods into the United States, Petrova could face up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.
The investigation was led by HSI New England’s National Security group alongside CBP New England, with assistance from HSI New Orleans and the U.S. Marshals Service in Louisiana.
The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings where Petrova is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
