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Additional Link:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/634139

“Ebola vials found in car trunk”

“Ex-Winnipeg scientist arrested at U.S. border”
May 14, 2009 04:30 AM

WINNIPEG–

SNIPPET: “The vials, according to court documents, were in a glove, wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in a plastic bag. They were found in the trunk of the scientist’s car.

Konan Michel Yao, 42, is in U.S. custody charged with smuggling.

Dr. Frank Plummer, head of the Winnipeg lab, said Yao did not have security clearance to work with high-level pathogens such as the Ebola virus. But he was allowed to work on an Ebola vaccine project in the facility’s special pathogens unit.”

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/05/13/border-biological-agents.html

“Winnipeg researcher charged with smuggling Ebola material into U.S.”
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 6:35 PM ET Comments119Recommend106
CBC News

SNIPPET: “A former researcher at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg is facing charges in the United States after allegedly trying to smuggle genetic material from the Ebola virus across the Manitoba-North Dakota border.

U.S. authorities allege Konan Michel Yao had 22 vials of the substance in the trunk of his car when he tried to cross the border on May 5. He is charged with smuggling merchandise, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 US.

U.S. customs officers allegedly found the vials wrapped in aluminum foil inside a glove and packaged in a plastic bag, along with electrical wires.

In his affidavit, the 42-year-old researcher said he was hired by the Public Health Agency of Canada to work as a PhD fellow at the Winnipeg facility. Yao told officers he was working on a vaccine for the Ebola virus and HIV.

On Jan. 21, his last day at the lab, he said he stole 22 vials, which he described as research vectors, according to the affidavit.”