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.
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.
"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 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.
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.
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The Reedley lab's parent company, Universal Meditech Inc. (UMI), received a $360,000 tax credit from Governor Newsom's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
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