Las Vegas Police Investigate Possible Illegal Lab, One Arrested
Las Vegas, Nevada – Authorities in Las Vegas are investigating a home where they found over 1,000 containers of possibly dangerous materials. The investigation started after police received information about lab equipment and hazardous substances being stored at a house in the northeast part of the city.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the home was linked to a previous investigation in California involving an illegal lab. The person involved in the California case is already in federal custody.
Police arrested Ori Solomon, who managed the property. He is accused of improperly disposing of hazardous waste and possessing a firearm illegally.
Inside the house, the garage appeared to be the main area where the materials were stored. Investigators found refrigerators, freezers, and other lab equipment, along with many bottles and containers filled with unknown liquids. The items were similar to those found in the California lab.
The FBI’s Christopher Delzotto said that investigators found equipment like a biosafety hood, a centrifuge, and containers with unknown liquids.
According to news reports, someone who lived in the house said the garage was always locked and smelled bad, “like a foul, stale, stagnant air smell.” It was also reported that two people got very sick after going into the garage.
All of the samples collected from the house have been taken to a lab in Maryland for testing. Sheriff McMahill assured the public that the house and neighborhood are safe.
Authorities are asking for patience as they carefully test the samples to determine what they are and what they were being used for.
