TDPel Media News Agency

Federal Agents Raid Las Vegas Airbnb Home After Guests Fall Seriously Ill and Hazmat Teams Discover a Suspected Illegal Lab Hidden Inside the Garage

Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk
By Gift Badewo

At first glance, the Las Vegas house seemed like the kind of place you’d book for a quick weekend getaway.

The listing photos showed all the usual Airbnb selling points: a neat living room, a bright kitchen, and even game tables set up for guests looking to relax.

Nothing about it screamed danger.

It blended right into the quiet neighborhood like any other short-term rental.

But investigators now say something far more disturbing was happening behind the scenes.

The Locked Garage That Raised Alarms

The real shock wasn’t inside the guest-ready rooms.

It was behind a locked door in the attached two-car garage.

Federal agents and hazmat teams reportedly uncovered what they believe was an illegal laboratory packed with lab equipment, bottled liquids, refrigerators, and thousands of small vials containing unknown substances.

More than 1,000 samples were collected and sent off for testing.

Authorities haven’t yet revealed what’s inside them, but the sheer volume has raised serious concern.

Guests Reportedly Became “Deathly Ill”

What makes the discovery even more chilling is that this wasn’t an abandoned property.

People were actively staying there.

Reports suggest the home doubled as a rental while the materials were stored.

The property manager, Ori Solomon, allegedly lived there full-time, but rooms were also being rented out to visitors who had no idea what might be nearby.

At least two short-term renters who entered the garage later became so sick they couldn’t even get out of bed.

A Familiar Name Tied to a Previous Biolab Case

The house is owned by Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national already linked to another major investigation.

In 2023, Zhu was connected to a clandestine lab discovered inside a home in Reedley, California.

That case drew national attention because investigators said the lab contained thousands of samples labeled as possible pathogens, including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and even Ebola.

Zhu was arrested in 2023 and remains in custody.

Now, the Las Vegas case is reviving fears that similar operations could be hidden in plain sight across the country.

Inside the Home: More Than Just a Rental Property

When FBI agents searched the Las Vegas residence, they reportedly entered a room that looked like an office belonging to Solomon.

Investigators found personal belongings, including his wallet and two passports.

They also noticed two 9mm bullets sitting openly on a computer stand.

A deeper search uncovered a Glock pistol stored inside a cabinet.

Authorities later determined Solomon’s immigration status prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.

The Strange Smell and the Renters Who Had No Idea

Three individuals were reportedly renting rooms in the home at the time of the raid.

Officials confirmed they were evacuated safely and were not connected to the alleged lab.

One renter told authorities the garage was always locked.

Another described a disturbing odor coming from the space, saying it smelled “like a hospital… but not a clean hospital,” more like stale, foul air.

That detail alone has fueled anxiety about what people may have unknowingly been exposed to.

Passports, Phone Calls, and Growing Suspicion

After Solomon was arrested, investigators recovered two passports belonging to him — one French and one Israeli.

While being held at the Clark County Detention Center, he allegedly made a recorded phone call to his daughter asking whether any guns were still inside the house.

According to the complaint, she told him authorities had found a lockbox containing the pistol but couldn’t open it.

That call led investigators to obtain a second search warrant to seize firearms and ammunition.

Authorities Still Don’t Know What Was in the Vials

So far, officials have not publicly confirmed what substances were stored in the garage refrigerators and freezer.

No biological-agent-related charges have been filed yet, and testing is still ongoing.

That uncertainty is exactly what’s making this case so unsettling — because the public doesn’t yet know whether the materials were harmless, dangerous, or something far worse.

Why This Case Is Sparking Wider Fear

From the street, this was just another suburban home framed by palm trees and flowers.

But inside, investigators say it may have been something entirely different: a suspected lab operating outside regulated facilities, potentially exposing renters and neighbors.

The case has intensified worries among authorities that similar hidden operations could exist in other vacation hotspots, tucked quietly into ordinary neighborhoods.

What’s Next?

For now, the investigation remains active.

Testing will determine what exactly was stored in the garage, whether any biological or chemical threats were present, and whether more charges will follow.

Federal and local agencies are also likely to dig deeper into possible links between this case and other suspected labs operating outside oversight.

Until the results come back, questions will linger — especially for travelers who assume a rental listing is always what it seems.

Summary

A Las Vegas home that appeared to be a normal Airbnb rental was raided by federal agents after visitors reportedly became seriously ill.

Inside a locked garage, hazmat teams allegedly discovered an illegal lab filled with refrigerators, vials, and unknown substances.

The property is tied to Jia Bei Zhu, previously linked to a notorious California biolab case.

Authorities have not yet revealed what the samples contain, and the investigation is still ongoing, raising fears about similar hidden threats in other vacation destinations.

Spread the News. Auto-share on
Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn

About Gift Badewo

A performance driven and goal oriented young lady with excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills. She is experienced in creative writing, editing, proofreading, and administration. Gift is also skilled in Customer Service and Relationship Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Team work, and Leadership with a Master's degree in Communication and Language Arts (Applied Communication).