Las Vegas Garage Biolab Probe Widens: Over 1,000 Samples Seized, Property Manager Arrested
Authorities in Las Vegas are investigating a suspected clandestine biological laboratory after a weekend raid on a residential property yielded over a thousand samples of unknown substances, leading to an arrest and raising public health concerns.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Sheriff Kevin McMahill announced Monday that the discovery was made at a home on Sugar Springs Drive in the northeast valley. "Just over a week ago, we received information indicating that laboratory equipment and potentially hazardous materials were being stored at a residence," McMahill stated during a press conference.
The investigation quickly revealed a direct connection to a 2023 case involving an illegal biolab in Reedley, California. The homeowner, already in federal custody on charges related to the California probe, has pleaded not guilty.
During the search, investigators found the garage had been converted into a makeshift lab. "Almost immediately, we observed multiple refrigerators, a freezer, and other laboratory-type equipment along with numerous bottles and jugs containing unknown liquids," Sheriff McMahill described. "These items were consistent in appearance with those found in the Reedley investigation."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Delzotto detailed the findings: a biosafety hood, a centrifuge, refrigerated vials, and gallon-sized containers holding red-brown liquids. Court documents cited by local media KLAS quote individuals familiar with the property describing the garage as having a "foul, stale, stagnant air smell" and noting that several days after entering, two people became "deathly ill."
The property manager, 55-year-old Ori Solomon, was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. He faces state charges for disposing of and discharging hazardous waste, as well as a federal charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
More than 1,000 collected samples were initially secured at the Southern Nevada Health District Laboratory before being carefully transported via FBI aircraft to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland for definitive analysis. Authorities have assured the public that the immediate site has been remediated and poses no ongoing threat.
"We recognize the public seeks clarity—what were they testing for? What possibilities are being considered?" said Agent Delzotto. "Our process, from evidence collection to testing, must be slow and methodical to ensure accuracy."
Community Reaction
Dr. Anya Sharma, Microbiologist & Local Resident: "This is deeply unsettling. The presence of a biosafety hood suggests work with airborne pathogens. The connection to a prior case indicates this wasn't an amateur hobby but potentially part of a larger, negligent operation. The health district's swift containment is commendable."
Mark Jenkins, Neighborhood Association President: "We're relieved there's no ongoing danger, but we have questions. How did this operate undetected? What oversight failed? We need transparency from authorities as the investigation progresses to restore trust."
Riley Carter, Cybersecurity Analyst: "This is an absolute failure on multiple levels! A biolab in a garage? People getting sick? It reads like a thriller plot, not suburban reality. It exposes glaring gaps in how we monitor the procurement of lab equipment and hazardous materials. Someone needs to be held accountable beyond just the property manager."
Former FBI Agent Tom Greer (Ret.): "The interstate link is the critical element here. It moves this from a local hazmat incident to a potential federal conspiracy case. Transporting the samples to Maryland's premier forensics center underscores the seriousness with which the FBI is treating the unknown biological agents involved."