Officials Criticize Federal Response to Unauthorized Bio Labs Found in California and Las Vegas

Recently, authorities in California have voiced their discontent with the federal authorities’ response to the discovery of an unauthorized biological laboratory located in a suburb of Fresno County. This facility was uncovered following a similar discovery at a Las Vegas residence over the weekend.

The California laboratory was discovered in a Reedley home towards the end of 2023. Law enforcement officials revealed that the illegal facility housed pathogen-labeled containers with markings such as dengue fever, HIV, and malaria. Additionally, around 1,000 mice, suspected to be used for experimentation, were found at the site.

A Chinese national, Jia Bei Zhu, was arrested in October 2023 and later indicted in November. Charges against him include distributing misbranded and adulterated medical supplies, such as COVID-19 tests. He remains in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance in April.

Las Vegas Residence Search

Early Saturday morning, law enforcement agencies searched a Las Vegas home and discovered a setup similar to the one in California. According to Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers located multiple refrigerators, a freezer, and other laboratory equipment. Numerous bottles and containers holding unidentified liquid substances were found in a secured garage.

“These items closely matched those discovered in the Reedley laboratory investigation,” stated McMahill.

Christopher Delzotto, FBI Special Agent in Charge for Las Vegas, reported that agents also identified a centrifuge, biosafety tools, and undisclosed liquids in large containers. More than 1,000 samples from the scene were collected and sent to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland.

Authorities’ Concerns and Actions

Prior to the raid, the police department had “limited information regarding the presence of laboratory equipment and potential hazardous materials” at the Las Vegas home, McMahill explained.

Further investigation revealed Zhu as the owner of the Las Vegas property, raising concerns about what the authorities might discover there. To ensure safety, a robot was employed to initially clear the house before police entry, and hazmat teams assisted in removing items from the premises.

Nicole Zieba, Reedley’s city manager, expressed that she wasn’t shocked by the recent findings. Fresno County supervisor Nathan Magsig indicated the items found in the Reedley lab suggested the likelihood of additional laboratories existing elsewhere in the United States.

“I hope they are paying attention because when we tried to raise the flag, we received just such a poor response from the CDC,” Zieba remarked. “It’s almost as if they didn’t want anything to do with it.”

Current Developments and Arrests

A second Las Vegas property was also searched, but no suspicious materials were discovered there. McMahill announced the arrest of Ori Solomon, believed to be the property manager of both Las Vegas locations. Solomon was initially charged with the disposal and discharge of hazardous waste.

Jia Bei Zhu’s attorney, Anthony Capozzi, defended his client’s position, stating Zhu has been in federal custody for three years and is not engaged in any of the biolab activities alleged to have occurred in Las Vegas.

“What went on in that residence, we are unaware of,” Capozzi mentioned.

Meanwhile, federal agents have revisited the Reedley lab, as investigations continue.

McMahill admitted that extensive work remains for the Las Vegas police department. “Vegas is in for a long road,” Zieba added, comparing the situation to the Reedley case, where a clear protocol was lacking.