DOJ Drops Frog Embryo Smuggling Case Against Harvard Researcher

The Department of Justice filed a petition on Tuesday to dismiss federal charges against Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard scientist accused of smuggling frog embryos into the United States. The government moved to end the case after a judge granted the defense a broad discovery order. That ruling required the administration to disclose non-public details about its border inspection practices.

Petrova was detained at an airport when she failed to declare the biological items to customs officials. While her lawyers characterized the incident as a minor violation, the administration canceled her visa and initiated removal proceedings. The case gained prominence during the government's intensified review of international faculty and students at American universities.

The petition states that continuing the prosecution would impose costs that are not justified. Prosecutors argued that resolving the discovery dispute and litigating a motion to dismiss would divert federal resources from other priorities. The government concluded that the expenses of continuing the case outweigh the public interest in seeing it resolved.

The discovery order forced the government to turn over policies and procedures regarding Customs and Border Protection operations. The defense sought information on how the agency conducts inspections and investigations. Petrova’s attorney, William Fick, told The New York Times that the legal team was relieved the proceedings were nearing an end. He described the process as a terrible ordeal for his client.

The dismissal request comes after the defense successfully challenged the scope of the prosecution. The government’s latest filing indicates it will no longer press the case forward. The Hill contacted Petrova’s legal team on Wednesday for comment on the petition.