Fresno County, Reedley officials outline cleanup and call for federal oversight after illegal lab discovery
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Summary
Fresno County and Reedley officials described the 2022 discovery of an unlicensed laboratory in Reedley containing hazardous materials and about 1,000 transgenic mice, outlined local cleanup steps and costs, and urged Congress to back federal legislation (H.R. 5747) after a linked Las Vegas lab was found.
FRESNO COUNTY — County and Reedley officials on Thursday briefed the public about an illegal private laboratory discovered in late 2022 in Reedley, described what remained after local abatement, and urged federal action after authorities this week reported a related site in Las Vegas.
Chairman Gary Bradefeld opened the briefing by saying officials owed the public "clear, honest communication" about what happened and how the county is preventing similar events. Supervisor Buddy Mendez summarized the Reedley discovery: code enforcement found an unlicensed biology/chemistry operation that contained hazardous pathogens, "including samples of COVID‑19," and "there was 1,000 transgenetic mice," he said.
Why it matters: Officials said the Reedley site demonstrated gaps in oversight for privately operated labs and argued that local stopgaps are insufficient. Sheriff John Zanoni warned of national‑security risks from untracked labs operating near residences and urged stronger coordination among local, state and federal agencies.
What officials said happened: Reedley city and Fresno County authorities used court warrants and abatement procedures in 2023 to remove laboratory materials and decommission the site. Reedley City Manager Nicole Ziba told residents that after the initial abatement "there were no biologicals, no chemicals, no laboratory equipment in that facility after our initial abatement," and that remaining items consisted of pallets of pregnancy and COVID test kits under a state embargo and boxes of paperwork the city was not authorized to destroy.
Public‑health review and sampling: County officials said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visited the Reedley site in May to catalogue vial labels (some in English, some in Mandarin and some coded); officials said CDC cataloged labels but did not sample or remove material and that the key for coded labels was not found. Public Health Director Joe Prado said there were 36 refrigerators and freezers on site and that destruction of biological materials followed federal and state protocols. "That destruction alone was nearly about a $100,000," Prado said, adding there were additional staffing costs for the response.
Local costs and legal aftermath: Officials said the City of Reedley incurred about $350,000 to abate biologicals, equipment and office items but used an old local property‑maintenance ordinance to recoup the costs so county taxpayers were not left holding the bill. Ziba said the site at 850 I Street is red‑tagged, under surveillance after multiple break‑ins, and remains under the authority of Reedley's building official and the California Department of Public Health for embargoed test kits.
Lawsuits and prosecution: Officials said the owner/operator filed a government claim that led to a $30 million lawsuit against the City of Reedley and a related claim naming Fresno County; Bradefeld said the county was dismissed from the claim last Thursday but the city remains involved and no court date was given. County and city leaders also stressed they could not comment on sealed search warrants or active federal investigations in Las Vegas.
Ordinance and federal legislation: After the Reedley response, Fresno County adopted an ordinance in January 2024 authorizing the county department of public health to issue permits and conduct annual inspections of private non‑CLIA research laboratories. Prado described the ordinance mechanics: "It requires a permit, and it has to be issued through our department of public health," and it gives staff authority to evaluate safety protocols, waste handling and OSHA compliance and to coordinate with state and federal agencies if requirements are not met. Five cities — San Joaquin, Kingsburg, Reedley, Fowler and Huron — have so far signed on to the county permit requirement, officials said.
Federal response sought: Officials urged Congress to act to close gaps in federal oversight. In a recorded message, Congressman Jim Costa called the issue "a national security and public health priority" and referenced bipartisan legislation, cited as H.R. 5747, to create a registry and strengthen coordination; county leaders said the registry would help identify where potentially hazardous materials are being sent and used.
Unanswered questions: Officials repeatedly said they did not know the suspect's full intent, could not disclose details of sealed warrants, and acknowledged that lab labels alone do not confirm contents; sheriff and public‑health officials said the possibility of other unreported sites remains a concern. Community members asked whether federal charges in Clark County (Las Vegas) could affect local legal proceedings; officials said they did not have that answer while federal investigations continue.
Next steps: County and Reedley officials said they will continue coordinating with federal partners, share additional information when legally permitted and press state authorities over custody and disposition of embargoed test kits. Congressman Costa and county leaders reiterated calls for federal legislation to create a registry and stronger oversight to prevent similar clandestine operations.
