Reedley Biolab Fraud and Biohazard Case

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SUMMARY

Jia Bei Zhu, the owner of the Reedley biolab, was arrested on July 27, 2026, for illegal dumping of biohazardous waste, following an investigation that began in December 2022. As of May 17, 2026, Zhu was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine after being convicted on 12 charges, including wire fraud and making false statements to the FDA, with sentencing scheduled for August 24, 2026. Federal prosecutors allege Zhu and others imported faulty COVID-19 tests from China, falsely marketing them as FDA-authorized and generating nearly $4 million in sales. A congressional investigation also revealed the lab operator received millions of dollars in unexplained payments from Chinese banks, and a similar suspected lab was found in Las Vegas.

Timeline

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July 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Reedley Biolab Owner Arrested for Illegal Dumping; Feds Probe Chinese Links

    The owner of the Reedley biolab has been arrested for illegal dumping of biohazardous waste, following an investigation that began in December 2022. Federal prosecutors allege that Jia Bei Zhu and others imported faulty COVID-19 tests from China, falsely marketing them as FDA-authorized and generating nearly $4 million in sales. A congressional investigation also revealed that the lab operator received millions of dollars in unexplained payments from Chinese banks.

May 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Reedley Biolab Operator Fined $100,000 Following Conviction on 12 Fraud Charges

    Jia Bei Zhu, operator of the unlicensed Reedley biolab, has been ordered to pay a $100,000 fine following his conviction on 12 charges, including wire fraud and making false statements to the FDA. Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2026, for his role in operating Universal Meditech Inc. and Prestige Biotech Inc. without authorization.

  2. Reedley Biolab Operator Jia Bei Zhu Convicted on All 12 Charges

    Jia Bei Zhu, operator of an unlicensed biolab in Reedley, California, has been convicted on all 12 charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and distributing misbranded medical devices. Zhu imported and sold faulty COVID-19 test kits from China for nearly $4 million, falsely marketing them as FDA-authorized and U.S.-made.

April 2026 — 4 developments

  1. Jia Bei Zhu Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges in Reedley Biolab Case

    Jia Bei Zhu, the alleged operator of the unlicensed Reedley biolab, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices, wire fraud, and conspiracy. His trial is set for April 2026, and the investigation has expanded to a similar suspected lab in Las Vegas.

  3. Reedley Biolab Operator Jia Bei Zhu Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges

    The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on April 10, 2024, to address the proliferation of unlicensed biolabs in the U.S., using the Reedley facility as an example. Separately, Jia Bei Zhu, operator of the Reedley biolab, pleaded guilty to federal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and distributing adulterated and misbranded medical devices on April 1, 2024.

  4. Reedley Biolab Operator Jia Bei Zhu Received $1.3M from Chinese Banks

    Investigations into the Reedley biolab have uncovered financial links to China, with over $1.3 million in payments made to operator Jia Bei Zhu from Chinese banks. Zhu faces federal charges including manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with his trial scheduled for April 2026.

March 2026 — 5 developments

  1. Former Universal Meditech CEO Jia Bei Zhu Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Misbranded Medical Devices

    Jia Bei Zhu, former CEO of Universal Meditech Inc., pleaded guilty on August 29, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and distribute misbranded medical devices, admitting to operating unlicensed biolabs in Reedley and Las Vegas. A superseding indictment unsealed the same day also charged Zhu and partner Zhaoyan Wang with additional crimes related to defrauding buyers of COVID-19 test kits.

  2. Ori Solomon arrested in Las Vegas raid linked to Jia Bei Zhu biolab investigation

    A January 2026 police raid in Las Vegas, connected to Reedley biolab operator Jia Bei Zhu, uncovered materials similar to those found in the California facility. An Israeli national, Ori Solomon, was arrested in connection with the probe, which is part of an ongoing congressional investigation into unlicensed biolabs.

  3. Reedley Biolab Operator Jia Bei Zhu Charged with Conspiracy, Wire Fraud in COVID-19 Test Kit Scheme

    Jia Bei Zhu, operator of the Reedley biolab, and his partner Zhaoyan Wang were charged in August 2024 with conspiracy and wire fraud for allegedly defrauding buyers of COVID-19 test kits, a scheme that reportedly generated over $1.7 million. The charges stem from the discovery of the unlicensed lab in December 2022, which contained numerous infectious pathogens and genetically modified mice.

  4. House Select Committee Releases Report on Unlicensed Biolabs, Citing Reedley Facility Risks

    The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released a report on March 25, 2026, highlighting the significant national security and public health risks posed by unlicensed biolabs, using the Reedley facility as a key example. The committee concluded that the Reedley biolab demonstrated "the profound threat that unlicensed and unknown biolabs pose to our country" and revealed "significant gaps in our nation's defenses and pathogen-related regulations."

  5. Jia Bei Zhu faces charges as Prestige Biotech biolab legal proceedings continue

    As of March 25, 2026, the legal and regulatory proceedings related to the Prestige Biotech biolab discovery in Reedley remain ongoing. While the physical lab was shut down and cleaned up in early 2024, the owner, Jia Bei Zhu, faces charges, and the congressional investigation's implications continue to be assessed.

January 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Prestige Biotech legal battle continues with plea deal discussions

    The legal battle surrounding Prestige Biotech and its operations continued into the new year. Discussions and potential plea deals were reportedly explored, though no final resolution had been reached.

May 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Reedley Biolab Owner Jia Bei Zhu Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

    Jia Bei Zhu, operator of an unlicensed biolab in Reedley, California, has been sentenced to three years in prison. He was found guilty by a federal jury on 12 charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and distributing misbranded medical devices. The lab contained thousands of vials of pathogens and bioengineered mice.

March 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Congressional Investigation Releases Preliminary Findings on Biosafety and Regulatory Oversight

    The congressional investigation released preliminary findings, detailing concerns about biosafety, regulatory oversight, and the potential for foreign influence in sensitive research areas. The report highlighted the need for stronger regulations and enforcement.

February 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Prosecution continues legal proceedings against Jia Bei Zhu and Prestige Biotech

    Legal proceedings against Jia Bei Zhu and Prestige Biotech continued, with the prosecution building its case based on the evidence gathered from the lab and the company's operations. The charges included manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices and making false statements to the FDA.

January 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Reedley Biolab Shut Down, Hazardous Materials Removed

    The Reedley biolab was officially declared shut down, and all hazardous materials were removed from the site. This marked the end of the physical operation of the unlicensed lab, though legal proceedings were still active.

December 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Reedley Biolab Cleanup Nears Completion, Officials Monitor Site

    The cleanup of the Reedley biolab was nearing completion, with most hazardous materials and contaminated equipment removed. Officials continued to monitor the site to ensure no residual risks remained.

November 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Jia Bei Zhu Charged with Manufacturing Misbranded Medical Devices and Lying to FDA

    Jia Bei Zhu was formally charged with manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices and making false statements to the FDA. These charges stemmed from the findings at the Reedley biolab and the alleged scheme involving COVID-19 test kits.

October 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Congressional investigation reveals Prestige Biotech received over $1 million from Chinese banks

    The congressional investigation revealed that Prestige Biotech received over $1 million in payments from Chinese banks. This finding raised further concerns about the company's financial dealings and its connections to entities in China.

September 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Prestige Biotech owner Jia Bei Zhu accused of falsely marketing Chinese COVID-19 test kits

    The owner of Prestige Biotech, Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national, was identified as a key figure in the investigation. Allegations surfaced regarding his involvement in a scheme to import COVID-19 test kits from China and falsely market them as American-made.

August 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Congressional investigation launched into Reedley biolab and Prestige Biotech over China ties

    A congressional investigation was launched into the Reedley biolab and Prestige Biotech, focusing on the company's alleged ties to China and its import/export practices. This investigation aimed to uncover potential regulatory failures and national security risks.

July 2023 — 2 developments

  1. FBI, DHS join investigation into Prestige Biotech and Reedley biolab

    Federal authorities, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, became involved in the investigation into Prestige Biotech and the Reedley biolab. Their involvement indicated the potential for broader implications, including national security and international connections.

  2. Reedley Biolab Cleanup Begins, Hazardous Materials Removed Under Official Oversight

    The cleanup of the Reedley biolab commenced, with hazardous materials and biological waste being systematically removed from the premises. This process was overseen by county and state health officials to ensure public safety and environmental protection.

June 2023 — 2 developments

  1. Fresno County Department of Public Health authorized to dispose of Reedley facility's biological material

    A court-approved warrant authorized the Fresno County Department of Public Health to dispose of all biological material, medical waste, infectious materials, and contaminated equipment from the Reedley facility. This marked a significant step towards the cleanup and remediation of the site.

  2. Fresno County Public Health seeks warrant for Reedley premises after non-compliance

    The Fresno County Department of Public Health formally requested a court warrant to enter the Reedley premises, noting repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain cooperation from the property owner and Prestige Biotech. This action underscored the lack of compliance from the company.

May 2023 — 2 developments

  1. CDC Staff Find 20 Potentially Infectious Agents Stored Inadequately at Reedley Lab

    Staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Select Agents and Toxins inspected the Reedley lab. They determined that at least 20 potentially infectious agents were stored under inadequate conditions. This inspection highlighted significant concerns regarding biosafety and the handling of hazardous materials.

  2. California Department of Public Health investigates illegal Reedley lab for Medical Waste Management Act compliance

    California Department of Public Health investigators inspected the illegal Reedley medical lab operated by Prestige Biotech. They assessed whether the thousands of gallons of biological fluid, laboratory mice, and vials containing blood, serum, and at least 20 different diseases complied with the Medical Waste Management Act. Diseases found included malaria, HIV, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), tuberculosis, chlamydia, and E. coli.

April 2023 — 2 developments

  1. Officials issue abatement warrant for Reedley facility, allowing further examination

    An abatement warrant was issued, allowing officials to further examine the conditions at the Reedley facility. This warrant permitted entry into the premises through April 20, enabling a more thorough assessment of the hazardous materials and operational status of the lab.

  2. Officials continue Reedley biolab investigation, address hazardous materials

    The investigation into the Reedley biolab continued, with officials working to understand the full scope of the operation and its potential risks. This period involved inter-agency collaboration to address the hazardous materials found at the site.

March 2023 — 2 developments

  1. Reedley Staff Requested Licenses from Prestige Biotech for Mouse Experimentation

    Following the discovery of the biolab, Reedley staff engaged in email communications with Xiuqin Yao, the president of Prestige Biotech. They requested licenses or certifications that would permit the experimentation of mice, which the company failed to provide.

  2. Officials discover clandestine biolab with pathogens and mice in Reedley warehouse

    A search warrant was executed at the Reedley warehouse, revealing a clandestine biolab. Officials discovered thousands of vials containing pathogens, including HIV, malaria, and COVID-19, along with approximately 1,000 mice. The lab was operated by Prestige Biotech, a company with alleged ties to China.

February 2023 — 1 developments

  1. Universal MediTech Communicated with Health Officials About New Fresno Facility

    Universal MediTech, a company linked to the Reedley biolab, was involved in communications with health officials. This interaction highlighted the company's attempts to establish a new facility in Fresno, indicating a pattern of operation and potential relocation of activities.

December 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Reedley code enforcement discovers illegal garden hose, prompting biolab investigation

    City of Reedley code enforcement officers first became aware of activity inside the warehouse at 850 I Street due to an illegally attached garden hose. The Fresno County Department of Public Health was notified of the potential violation. This initial observation marked the beginning of the investigation into the unlicensed biolab.