https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-inves...operating-inside-las-vegas/story?id=129763459
https://archive.is/NZd2z
Local and federal investigators in Las Vegas are actively working to determine what substances were found inside a home described as a possible biological lab, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
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.
Investigators removed materials found in vials and plan to transport them to the county’s secure health facility for testing to determine whether they are harmful.
Law enforcement has not yet determined what the recovered materials are or whether they pose any danger.
The owner of the property is a Chinese national who was arrested and charged in 2023 and is currently in jail.
Sources say the person arrested on Saturday was a property manager at the location.
The case in 2023 led to a congressional investigation. That probe 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.
He has pleaded not guilty in the 2023 case.
Investigators are now searching 20 other locations to determine whether there might be any connection to Saturday’s search. So far, nothing concerning has been found at other locations, sources said.
https://archive.is/NZd2z
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.
What to know about Fusarium graminearum, the biological pathogen allegedly smuggled into the US
Investigators removed materials found in vials and plan to transport them to the county’s secure health facility for testing to determine whether they are harmful.
Law enforcement has not yet determined what the recovered materials are or whether they pose any danger.
The owner of the property is a Chinese national who was arrested and charged in 2023 and is currently in jail.
Sources say the person arrested on Saturday was a property manager at the location.
2 Chinese nationals charged with smuggling 'potential agroterrorism' fungus into US: DOJ
The case in 2023 led to a congressional investigation. That probe 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.
He has pleaded not guilty in the 2023 case.
Investigators are now searching 20 other locations to determine whether there might be any connection to Saturday’s search. So far, nothing concerning has been found at other locations, sources said.
