This illegal biolab story should shake us rigid!

Leave a CommentThis illegal biolab story should shake us rigid!Featured

A breaking story emerged this week in Las Vegas, where federal and local authorities raided a residential home on the city’s east side, uncovering what appears to be an illegal biological laboratory. The discovery, announced in early February 2026, has sparked a major investigation involving the FBI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), and hazmat teams.

The CDC identified at least 20 potentially infectious agents, including HIV, tuberculosis, and the deadliest form of malaria. A refrigerator labeled “Ebola” was later discovered.

On Saturday, January 31, SWAT officers executed a search warrant at a house in the Sunrise Manor area following an anonymous tip about suspicious lab activity. Inside, investigators found laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, multiple refrigerators and freezers stocked with vials containing unknown liquids, gallon-sized containers of red-brown substances, and over 1,000 samples of potential biological material. Some reports mention pathogens possibly linked to diseases like HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and even Ebola, though official statements describe them as “unknown liquids” pending testing. More than 1,000 pieces of evidence were collected and secured at a local health district lab for analysis.

Authorities emphasized no immediate public threat exists, but the setup raised alarms due to its similarities to a 2023 illegal biolab uncovered in Reedley, California. That earlier case involved thousands of vials, infectious agents, and bioengineered mice—operations run without permits and linked to unauthorized COVID-19 test kit manufacturing.

The Las Vegas property is owned by a limited liability company tied to Chinese nationals Jia Bei Zhu* (also known as Jesse Zhu or David He in some reports) and Zhaoyan Wang. Zhu, already in federal custody, faces charges from the California incident, including mislabeling medical devices and operating without oversight. Officials noted “concerning similarities” between the two sites, suggesting a connected network.

Adding to the intrigue, the property reportedly functioned partly as a short-term rental or Airbnb. Documents obtained by local investigators reveal that several people, including potential guests or employees, fell “deathly ill” after exposure—experiencing severe symptoms like inability to leave bed, possibly from hazardous materials in the garage. One individual described a foul odor upon entry.

A property manager, 55-year-old Ori Solomon, was arrested on-site and now faces federal firearms charges (after “numerous” illegal guns were seized) plus Nevada state counts for improper hazardous waste disposal. A second suspect has also been detained as the probe expands, with the FBI recently serving related warrants in California.

This case revives concerns about unregulated biolabs on U.S. soil, potential biosecurity risks, and foreign involvement—echoing debates over oversight of high-risk pathogens. Lawmakers, including some pushing bipartisan bills for stricter lab regulations, have called for hearings. As testing continues on the samples, officials urge calm while the investigation deepens into possible transnational criminal elements.

* Jia Bei Zhu (also known as Jesse Zhu, Qiang He, or David He), the owner linked to the Las Vegas property. He was previously arrested and charged in connection with an illegal biolab discovered in Reedley, California, in 2022–2023.In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice announced his arrest on federal charges, including manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices (such as unauthorized COVID-19, HIV, pregnancy, and other diagnostic test kits) in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as well as making false statements to the FDA. This stemmed from operations tied to companies like Universal Meditech Incorporated and Prestige Biotech Incorporated, which ran an unlicensed facility in Reedley containing thousands of vials of biological materials (some labeled as potentially infectious agents like HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and even Ebola-like references in reports), along with bioengineered mice and other hazardous items.Zhu, a Chinese national who had used aliases and reportedly entered the U.S. unlawfully while evading a Canadian arrest warrant, has been in federal custody since that arrest. His trial in the California case is scheduled for April 2026. Authorities have highlighted “concerning similarities” between the Reedley setup and the recent Las Vegas discovery, including equipment, sample volumes, and operational patterns. Property records tie the Las Vegas home (and a second searched property) to an LLC connected to Zhu and his associate Zhaoyan Wang.Multiple sources confirm this prior incident:

  • U.S. Department of Justice press releases (October and November 2023) detail the charges and indictment.
  • Local news from outlets like KSNV (Las Vegas), ABC News, Fox News, and Fresno-area reports (e.g., KMPH, GV Wire) explicitly link the Las Vegas raid to Zhu’s Reedley case.
  • A 2024 congressional report from the Select Committee on the CCP investigated the Reedley biolab, noting Zhu’s control, use of false identities, and prior Fresno location before moving to Reedley after issues like a fire.

The Las Vegas property manager, Ori Solomon, was the one arrested on-site (for hazardous waste issues and later federal firearms charges), but Zhu is the key figure with the documented prior biolab involvement. No public threat has been confirmed from the Las Vegas samples, which are still being tested.This connection has renewed scrutiny on biosecurity gaps and potential transnational risks.