A quiet Las Vegas neighborhood became the center of a startling investigation this weekend, revealing a suspected illegal biological laboratory hidden within a seemingly ordinary home. The discovery unfolded after a tip led authorities to a residence on the city’s east side, triggering a meticulously planned operation by SWAT teams.
Police executed a search warrant Saturday, approaching the home with extreme caution. A robot was deployed to initially clear the premises and collect air samples, followed by hazardous materials teams tasked with safely removing potentially dangerous items. The operation underscored the unknown risks lurking inside.
Inside a locked garage, investigators uncovered a disturbing scene: over 1,000 pieces of evidence, including vials of unidentified liquids stored in refrigerators and gallon containers, a centrifuge, and a collection of sophisticated laboratory equipment. These materials are currently undergoing rigorous testing at FBI labs.
The property manager, 55-year-old Ori Solomon, was promptly arrested and faces charges related to the improper disposal of hazardous waste. Authorities have stressed that, at this time, there is no known threat to the public, but the investigation is far from over.
The owner of the Las Vegas property has been identified as Jia Bei Zhu, a name already known to federal investigators. Zhu is currently in custody, facing charges stemming from the discovery of a similar unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California, last year.
The Reedley lab, uncovered in 2023, operated within a warehouse and was found to contain a vast array of equipment and materials, including approximately 1,000 genetically engineered mice used in disease research – specifically, for COVID-19 studies. The initial discovery was triggered by a simple observation: a green garden hose extending from the building.
According to a report from the House Select Committee on the People’s Republic of China, Zhu is a citizen of China and a fugitive wanted in Canada. The committee alleges deep connections between Zhu and the Chinese government, suggesting involvement in a criminal enterprise focused on stealing intellectual property from American companies.
Zhu’s attorney maintains his client’s innocence, stating he has no knowledge of the Las Vegas operation. However, investigators are meticulously connecting the dots between the two labs, seeking to understand the full scope of this complex and concerning situation.
The FBI is actively assisting in the Las Vegas investigation, and authorities are remaining tight-lipped about specific details of the recovered materials or the possibility of further arrests. The case continues to unfold, raising serious questions about clandestine biological research and potential national security implications.
