Domestic "biolab" raided in Las Vegas, similarities to 2023 incident
Hazmat, SWAT and FBI teams raided a home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday 31 January to find what has been described as a possible biological laboratory. Over 1,000 samples collected at the property were subsequently sent for testing.
According to sources, the investigation into the property began as a code violation call, however the joint terrorism task force took over the investigation once authorities began to suspect that illegal medical‑type biological research materials might be stored at the property.
In a statement released the same day, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said that, during the service of the search warrant, "investigators discovered evidence of possible biological material to include refrigerators with vials containing unknown liquids".
"Investigators have identified a suspect in this case as the owner of the residence on Sugar Springs Drive. That individual was already in federal custody on charges related to the investigation of a biolab in Reedley, California in 2023," the statement continued. Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese citizen with potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party, was arrested in October 2023 after police raided his home.
Police said the illegal facility had contained "pathogen-labeled containers" with labels that included dengue fever, HIV and malaria, as well as about 1,000 mice that officials believe were used as test subjects. He was charged with distributing adulterated and misbranded medical items, including coronavirus tests, and remains in custody. He is due to appear in court in April.
The items found in the Las Vegas residence on Saturday "were consistent in appearance with the items found and described in the Reedley, California, lab investigation", sheriff Kevin McMahill said on Monday, adding that the police had received limited information about the nature of what was being stored at the house before the raid.
A second suspect, 55-year-old Ori Solomon, has been arrested in conjunction with the present investigation following last Saturday's raid. Solomon is the property manager for two properties on Sugar Springs Drive and Temple View Drive that were raided, and was taken into custody on suspicion of disposing and discharging hazardous waste.
Details of the operation
Videos of the raid were subsequently released by the LVMPD and provided further details of the operation.
"Early Saturday morning at 5.51am, LVMPD SWAT served the search warrant. Three individuals renting rooms inside the home were safely removed and are not involved in the investigation.
"Investigators focused on a locked garage believed to contain the materials. To minimise risk, LVMPD deployed drones for aerial awareness and a tactical robot to clear the interior and conduct air sampling before personnel entered.
"Once safe to proceed, the ARMOR team entered wearing protective equipment. Investigators observed refrigerators, a freezer, laboratory-type equipment and numerous containers holding unknown liquid substances. An autonomous ground cleared the home before police and hazmat teams entered, secured and removed items from the home for testing."
"This operation involved a coordinated response from numerous local, state, and federal partners. Sheriff McMahill emphasised that modern technology, including drones, robotics, and real-time command monitoring, played a critical role in protecting first responders while allowing the operation to move quickly and safely."
