FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Thursday that the agency has dismantled a Chinese espionage ring operating inside the U.S.
The operation involved attempts to recruit American service members to share sensitive defense information.
The investigation led to the execution of eight search warrants across multiple cities, including San Francisco, Houston, Portland, and San Diego. Two individuals were arrested as part of the coordinated takedown.
In a post on X, Bongino referred to the network as “sophisticated” and linked directly to the Chinese government. He emphasized the importance of informing the public about the bureau’s efforts to protect national security.
The bust comes after recent cases in which U.S. Army personnel were caught providing intelligence to the People’s Republic of China. Bongino characterized those instances as “treason-adjacent espionage.”
According to FBI officials, the foreign operatives were targeting critical U.S. defense information, including classified missile and drone technology. They were also engaged in surveillance and intimidation efforts on American soil.
The agency stated that since January 2025, it has apprehended 51 foreign intelligence agents from countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, the Conservative Brief reported.
Offenses included economic espionage, sanctions evasion, theft of classified data, and smuggling of