Federal authorities have launched an urgent investigation after discovering a suspected illegal biological laboratory inside a residential home in Las Vegas. The clandestine facility, reportedly filled with hazardous materials and pathogens, was found operating within a quiet neighborhood garage.
Law enforcement officers seized over 1,000 biological samples during the raid, including vials containing unidentified reddish liquids. This alarming discovery has prompted immediate concern from local officials regarding the potential safety risks posed to the surrounding community.
The residence is directly linked to Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national who is currently in federal custody for operating a similar illegal biolab in Reedley, California. Zhu faces multiple charges related to the 2023 discovery, where investigators found deadly pathogens such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria stored in makeshift conditions.
Investigators noted striking similarities between the Las Vegas site and the Reedley operation, suggesting a coordinated effort to establish unregulated research facilities. The Las Vegas home contained industrial-grade freezers and laboratory equipment that mirrored the setup dismantled in California three years prior.
United States Senators and Representatives are now demanding answers and calling for stricter federal oversight of private laboratories to prevent future occurrences. Congressman Kevin Kiley has publicly expressed his outrage, stating that the federal government must take decisive action to stop these illegal operations from endangering American communities.
Kiley, along with Representatives Jim Costa and David Valadao, is urgently pushing for the passage of the Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to close existing regulatory loopholes that currently allow dangerous biological research to be conducted without proper licensing or essential safety protocols.
The discovery was precipitated by reports of individuals becoming deathly ill after entering the property, which was also used as a short-term rental. A cleaner who visited the site described a foul, chemical odor resembling a stagnant hospital before falling sick with severe symptoms.
Police have arrested Ori Solomon, the property manager of the Las Vegas home, on charges related to the disposal of hazardous waste. While authorities work to identify the specific pathogens present, they have assured the public that the immediate threat has been contained.
Congressional reports have previously alleged that Zhu has ties to the Chinese government's military-civil fusion strategy, raising significant national security concerns. These allegations have intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation into the funding and ultimate purpose of these clandestine biological networks.