Law enforcement is delving into the discovery of a purported biological lab, believed to have links to China, found in a Las Vegas residence.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that SWAT officers executed a search warrant on Saturday at a home situated on the east side of the city. This action followed a tip-off about the presence of a biolab within the premises.
During a Monday press briefing, Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department revealed that over 1,000 items, suspected to include biological and hazardous materials, were largely stored in a secured garage. Officials assured the public that there is no existing danger.
Police have detained Ori Solomon, the 55-year-old property manager of the house, who now faces charges related to the improper disposal and discharge of hazardous waste. He is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill from the LVMPD updated the public on the collaborative investigation regarding the potential biolab discovered in a Las Vegas, Nevada home. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
In serving the warrant, Sheriff McMahill emphasized that the police exercised significant caution. The authorities deployed a robot to secure the premises, gather air samples, and engage hazardous materials teams for the safe removal of items.
In the garage, investigators found multiple refrigerators with vials of unknown liquids, unknown liquids in gallon-size containers, a centrifuge and other laboratory equipment, authorities said.
“Some of that evidence included biological material and liquids that were meticulously collected and sent to FBI labs for testing,” police said in a statement.
A worker in a hazmat suit searches through material found at the Las Vegas house. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Investigators identified the owner of the Las Vegas home as Jia Bei Zhu, who is already in federal custody following the discovery of an unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California, in 2023.
Zhu was arrested in that case on federal charges alleging he manufactured and distributed misbranded medical devices, including tests for COVID-19, pregnancy and HIV, without proper permits and made false statements to the Food and Drug Administration. He is scheduled to go on trial in April.
Additional charges have been filed against Jia Bei Zhu, 62, the operator of the Reedley, California Bio-Lab and his partner, according to the United States Department of Justice. (Department of Justice)
Zhu’s attorney, Anthony Capozzi, said Monday that his client is not involved in the Las Vegas investigation.
“He is not involved in any kind of a biolab being conducted in a home in Las Vegas,” Capozzi said. “What went on in that residence we are unaware of.”
Inside of the Chinese-linked California biolab. (City of Reedley)
The Reedley biolab drew attention after a clandestine laboratory was discovered operating inside a warehouse owned by Zhu’s company, Universal Meditech Inc.
According to a report by the House Select Committee on the People’s Republic of China, Zhu, 62, is a citizen of the PRC and a wanted fugitive from Canada. The committee alleged Zhu had close ties to the Chinese government and was involved in a transnational criminal enterprise that stole millions of dollars in intellectual property from U.S. companies.
City officials in Reedley first raised concerns in December 2022 after a code enforcement officer noticed a green garden hose protruding from the warehouse. A subsequent inspection revealed extensive laboratory equipment, manufacturing devices and medical-grade freezers inside the building.
Officials also reported finding approximately 1,000 transgenic mice used in disease research. Workers at the facility told authorities the mice were genetically engineered for COVID-19 research.
This image made from video provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shows law enforcement conducting a search at a house in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Las Vegas. (LVMPD via AP)
The FBI is assisting in the Las Vegas investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities declined to provide additional details about the materials recovered or whether additional arrests are expected.
