Illegal Biolab Raids Uncover Deadly Pathogens in Nevada, California

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In recent years, law enforcement has uncovered multiple illegal laboratories in the United States housing a variety of deadly biological agents, including Ebola, tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria. The labs, which appear to be connected to a Chinese citizen, have raised alarms about potential bioterrorism threats and gaps in medical and health regulation.

Why it matters

The discovery of these illicit biolabs highlights growing concerns about the potential for foreign actors to exploit weaknesses in US biosecurity and use biological agents as weapons. The ability of these labs to operate without proper oversight raises questions about the government's ability to prevent catastrophic bioterrorism attacks.

The details

In February 2026, the FBI and Las Vegas police raided an unlicensed laboratory in Nevada that contained over 1,000 vials, jars, and flasks with deadly biological substances like Ebola, tuberculosis, and HIV. This raid came just a few years after a similar discovery in 2023 of a lab in Reedley, California that housed an array of dangerous pathogens, including malaria. Authorities have linked both labs to a mainland Chinese citizen named Jia Bei Zhu, suggesting a potential connection between the two facilities. Federal investigators reported that the Reedley lab received unexplained payments from Chinese banks, further raising suspicions about the labs' origins and purpose.

• The Nevada lab was raided by the FBI and Las Vegas police on February 2, 2026.
• The Reedley, California lab was raided in 2023.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the potential connections between the Nevada and California labs, as well as the source of the funding and the ultimate purpose of these illicit facilities.