Federal agents are investigating a suspected biolab discovered inside a Las Vegas home, linked to a man charged in a previous illegal California lab case, as authorities test hundreds of seized samples.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media
Federal and local authorities are investigating a suspected biolaboratory discovered inside a Las Vegas home, an operation officials say is linked to the owner of an unauthorized biolab uncovered in California in 2023.
SWAT officers executed a search warrant at the residence on the city’s east side on Saturday after receiving a tip, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. One person — identified as the property manager — was taken into custody, though police said no immediate charges had been announced.
Investigators reported finding “evidence of possible biological material,” including refrigerators containing vials filled with unknown liquids. Authorities stressed there is no threat to the public.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the home is owned by Jia Bei Zhu, who was arrested in 2023 in connection with an unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California. That case involved allegations of manufacturing and mislabeling test kits for COVID-19, pregnancy and HIV without proper permits. Zhu is scheduled to stand trial in April.
Zhu’s attorney, Anthony Capozzi, said his client has been in federal custody for three years and denied any involvement in the Las Vegas operation. “He is not involved in any kind of a biolab being conducted in a home in Las Vegas,” Capozzi said, adding that they were unaware of activities at the residence.
Law enforcement officials said extensive precautions were taken during the search, including deploying a robot to clear the home, collecting multiple air samples and using hazmat teams to safely remove materials.
In a televised interview, Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said approximately 1,000 samples from the home have been sent to FBI laboratories across the country for analysis.
“Once we have those results, then we can produce further charges,” Patel said.
Officials said the investigation remains active as federal authorities analyze the materials and determine whether additional arrests or charges are warranted.
