In late January 2026, authorities uncovered a disturbing setup in a residential home in northeast Las Vegas: what appeared to be an illegal biological laboratory operating out of a garage, in a property also listed as a short-term rental on platforms including Airbnb.
The discovery came after a tip from a former house cleaner, referred to in court documents as “Kelly.” She reported being hired by the property manager, 55-year-old Ori Solomon (also known as Ori Salomon), to clean the home. While working there in April 2025, she accessed the normally locked garage and found refrigerators and freezers, glass beakers containing reddish liquids, a biological safety cabinet, a possible centrifuge, and other equipment consistent with lab operations. The garage reportedly had a strong chemical or hospital-like odor.
Multiple individuals who entered the garage or spent time in the home fell seriously ill—described in reports as becoming “deathly ill.” This included the cleaner herself and a handyman, as well as concerns raised about guests staying in the rental property. The presence of hazardous materials in a short-term rental raised serious public health alarms, especially with occupants like an elderly resident living nearby.
On January 31, 2026, the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) raided the Sunrise Manor home. Officers, including SWAT, seized refrigerators filled with vials of unknown liquids, potential biological and hazardous substances, and related equipment. Video from the scene showed investigators handling and removing the items.
Ori Solomon was arrested shortly after the raid and faces state and federal charges, including felony disposal or discharge of hazardous waste in an unauthorized manner. He is also accused of visa violations related to firearm possession. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
The property has alleged ties to Jia Bei Zhu, a 62-year-old individual already in federal custody for operating an unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California, in 2023. That earlier case involved unlabeled pathogens (including samples labeled as HIV, Ebola, dengue, and malaria), genetically modified mice, and other dangerous materials. Authorities believe the Las Vegas site may have been used to store or support similar biolab equipment, viruses, or biological substances.
The case has sparked widespread concern about unregulated biological research hidden in everyday homes, the risks to unsuspecting renters, and potential links to broader unauthorized lab operations. The FBI and local agencies are analyzing the seized materials to determine exactly what was being handled and any associated health threats. As of early February 2026, the full scope of the operation remains under active investigation.
SOURCES:
Housecleaner said multiple illnesses tied to Las Vegas house with possible bio lab: Police report – ABC News
Several Fall Ill In Las Vegas Airbnb, An Alleged Bio Lab Linked To Federal Case – KFF Health News
Several fall ‘deathly ill’ from Las Vegas bio lab
