Alleged Illegal Biolab Uncovered in Las Vegas Home, Linked to California Case
Law enforcement agencies are investigating an alleged illegal biological laboratory discovered in a northeast Las Vegas residence. The facility is being examined for potential links to a previously identified illegal biolab in Reedley, California. Authorities have arrested a property manager and removed numerous items for testing as part of an extensive ongoing investigation.
The facility is being examined for potential links to a previously identified illegal biolab in Reedley, California.
Investigation Unearths Suspected Illegal Lab
The investigation into the Las Vegas property commenced following a tip-off in April 2025 from a former cleaning employee. The employee reported entering a locked garage at the residence and observing items such as refrigerators, freezers, glass beakers containing a reddish liquid, a biological safety cabinet, and a centrifuge. A foul, stale odor was also noted in the garage.
Subsequent to this report, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) received information detailing the presence of laboratory equipment and potentially hazardous materials at the residence. A raid was conducted on the Las Vegas home early on a Saturday morning, with a news briefing regarding a warrant served in east Las Vegas held on January 31, 2026. Prior to entry, a robot was deployed to clear the house.
During the operation, police and FBI agents discovered multiple refrigerators, a freezer, laboratory-type equipment, and numerous bottles and jugs containing unknown liquid substances within a locked garage. Christopher Delzotto, FBI Special Agent in Charge for Las Vegas, stated that agents located a centrifuge, biosafety tools, and unknown liquids in gallon-sized containers and refrigerated vials.
Hazmat teams assisted in the removal of items, including over 1,000 samples, which have been transported to secure labs, including the National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland, for testing. Authorities also searched a second Las Vegas home, where no suspicious materials were found.
Health Concerns and Hazardous Findings
The former cleaning employee reported experiencing symptoms such as breathing issues, fatigue, and muscle aches, along with a handyman and the property manager's wife, after entering the garage. Additionally, another female occupant of the house was hospitalized with severe respiratory issues. An unusual presence of dead crickets was also noted in the master bedroom.
During the search, four bottles of hydrochloric acid were found unsecured in an open box.
Authorities indicated they believe the property was used to house biolab equipment, potential viruses, and biological substances.
An elderly male living nearby was also noted as being potentially exposed to these hazards.
Property Manager Arrested
Ori Solomon (also known as Ori Salomon), identified as the property manager for both Las Vegas properties, has been arrested.
He faces state and federal charges, including felony disposal/discharge of hazardous waste in an unauthorized manner and alleged violation of his visa through possession of firearms.
Links to California's Reedley Biolab
The Las Vegas operation has been directly linked to an illegal biolab discovered in Reedley, California, in late 2023.
The California facility, located in a Reedley home, reportedly housed containers labeled with pathogens such as dengue fever, HIV, and malaria, along with approximately 1,000 mice believed to have been used as test subjects.
Jia Bei Zhu, identified as a Chinese citizen, was arrested in October 2023 and indicted in November 2023 in connection with the Reedley lab. He faces charges of distributing adulterated and misbranded medical items, including coronavirus tests, and is currently in federal custody with a court appearance scheduled for April.
The ongoing investigation has linked Zhu as the owner of the Las Vegas property. Solomon is believed to have been in regular communication with Zhu, with over 460 calls made in the past year, and allegedly managed business dealings for Zhu, transferring funds to Zhu's wife and business partner.
However, Anthony Capozzi, Zhu's attorney, stated:
"His client 'is not involved in any kind of a biolab being conducted in a home in Las Vegas,' asserting that Zhu has been in federal custody for three years and was unaware of the activities at the residence."
Ongoing Investigation and Official Reactions
Officials from California have commented on the discovery. Nicole Zieba, Reedley City Manager, stated she was not surprised by the new finding. Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig commented that items found in the Reedley lab had suggested the possibility of additional labs elsewhere in the U.S. Zieba also noted what she described as a "poor response from the CDC" regarding the initial Reedley lab.
LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated:
The items found in Las Vegas were consistent with those found in the Reedley, California lab investigation.
Federal agents have recently re-entered the Reedley lab. Las Vegas police anticipate an extensive investigation, and Zieba has remarked on the lack of established protocols for such cases.