1,000 samples sent for testing after possible biological lab found inside Las Vegas home: FBI

The potential biological materials were in a locked garage, authorities said.

ByAaron Katersky, Sasha Pezenik, Alex Stone, Jack Date, and Josh Margolin
February 2, 2026, 7:26 PM

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FBI investigating a possible 'biological lab' operating inside a home in Las VegasMultiple law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant on Saturday morning. Investigators say they discovered refrigerators with vials containing unknown liquids.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Local and federal investigators in Las Vegas are actively working to determine what substances were found inside a home described as a possible biological lab, with over 1,000 samples sent for testing, authorities said.
Officials searched the scene on Saturday morning, with investigators saying they are currently uncertain exactly what was found.
According to sources, the investigation began as a code‑violation call. When authorities began to suspect that illegal medical‑type biological research materials might be stored at the property, the Joint Terrorism Task Force took over the investigation.

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The "potential biological and hazardous materials" were primarily located in a locked garage, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said during a press briefing on Monday.
In the garage, investigators found multiple refrigerators with vials of unknown liquids, unknown liquids in gallon-size containers, a centrifuge and other laboratory equipment, authorities said.
In an open refrigerator and freezer, investigators saw a "significant volume of material," including vials and storage containers "with liquids of different colors and compositions," McMahill said.



A screengrab from footage of investigators inside a suspected illicit biological lab operation in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

"The scene presented a high level of complexity with materials that have not yet been identified and still require careful assessment," McMahill said.
More than 1,000 samples were collected, according to Chris Delzotto, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office.
The evidence has since been transported to an FBI lab for testing, according to the sheriff. Authorities did not provide details on what kinds of tests were underway.

"We recognize that the public is seeking clarity. What were they testing for? What possibilities are being considered? However, as the sheriff mentioned in cases like this, our process relies on being slow and methodical, from the collection of evidence to the testing of the samples," Delzotto said.



The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are investigating an alleged illegal biological lab in the garage of this northeast Vegas home, Feb. 3, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The person arrested on Saturday -- identified as Ori Solomon, 55 -- is believed to be the property manager at the location, according to McMahill.
Solomon has been charged with felony disposal/ discharge of hazardous waste in an unauthorized manner and remains in custody, according to court records.
Three people who rented a room from the property owner were safely removed from the residence and are not involved in the investigation at this time, McMahill said.

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The owner of the property was arrested and charged in 2023 in connection with an investigation into an illegal bio lab in Reedley, California, authorities said. The owner, a Chinese national, remains in federal custody and has pleaded not guilty.
The case led to a congressional investigation that found the illegal bio lab had allegedly been receiving money from Chinese banks and was housing thousands of samples of potential pathogens labeled as being HIV, malaria, TB, COVID-19 and even Ebola.
The items found in the Las Vegas residence "were consistent in appearance with the items found and described in the Reedley, California, lab investigation," McMahill said Monday.

1,000 samples sent for testing after possible biological lab found inside Las Vegas home: FBI - ABC News