Officials Probe Suspected Bio Lab Found at Las Vegas Property

U.S. authorities are investigating an illegal bio lab discovered inside a residential property in Las Vegas, after officials confirmed that the setup closely resembled a previously uncovered facility in Reedley, California.

The California lab, found in late 2023, contained pathogen-labeled materials, laboratory equipment and approximately 1,000 mice, according to local officials. That discovery prompted federal charges against Jia Bei Zhu, who remains in custody and has denied involvement in the Las Vegas operation through his attorney.

Over the weekend, Las Vegas police executed a search warrant at a home after receiving information that laboratory equipment and potentially hazardous materials were being stored on the property. Inside a locked garage, investigators found multiple refrigerators, a freezer, laboratory-style equipment and containers holding unknown liquids. Federal agents later confirmed that the items were consistent with materials found during the Reedley investigation.

More than 1,000 samples were collected from the Las Vegas location and transported to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center for analysis. Authorities said the property is linked to Zhu, which raised concerns for investigators prior to entry.

Officials in Reedley criticized what they described as a slow federal response following the original discovery in California and said the new find reinforced concerns that similar facilities could exist elsewhere. Las Vegas authorities also searched a second property but found no suspicious materials.