Illegal medical lab with deadly COVID pathogens seized in California warehouse

An illegal medical laboratory was uncovered inside a warehouse in California during a routine hose inspection. The lab operated by Prestige BioTech, a Nevada-based company not authorised to operate in California, was found to be handling over 20 hazardous viruses, bacteria, and parasites, including COVID-19, E. Coli, malaria, HIV, hepatitis, and herpes, according to court documents filed at the Superior Court of the State of California.

Last December, the City of Reedley’s code enforcement team stumbled upon the hidden lab when they noticed a green garden hose running through the abandoned property. Upon further investigation, they realised an unauthorised business was operating on the premises.

In March, health officials conducted a thorough inspection and were astounded by what they encountered. “There were over 800 different chemicals on site in different bottles of different acids. Unfortunately, a lot of these are being categorised under unknown chemicals,” revealed Joe Prado, the Assistant Director of the Fresno County Department of Public Health, to KSEE.

He further explained that numerous labels had been removed from the bottles, significantly limiting their ability to perform comprehensive testing. Such an alarming discovery was unprecedented during his 26-year tenure with the County of Fresno.

Authorities also discovered nearly 1,000 diseased and bioengineered mice within the facility, with approximately 200 of them already deceased. According to the court documents, lab workers claimed that their work focused on the development of COVID and pregnancy tests. However, the presence of dangerous pathogens raised suspicion about the lab’s true intentions.

In response to the hazardous materials and potential public health risks, officials took decisive action on July 7. They safely disposed of the dangerous substances and euthanized 773 of the surviving rats. The US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the identities of the infectious agents through testing conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Photographs from the lab, included in the court documents, revealed that some materials had labels in both English and Chinese, hinting at possible international connections. The ongoing investigation is delving into the extent of the lab’s activities and whether it had any ties to other locations, including Fresno.

Prestige BioTech now faces accusations of failing to comply with orders related to biological abatement and hazardous material disposal. A criminal investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the company’s unlawful operations.

Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld disclosed that the city is still trying to comprehend the full scope of the lab’s activities and whether it has any association with Fresno.

The shocking discovery of this illegal medical lab has raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter oversight in monitoring such facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation continues, authorities and the public remain vigilant in understanding the potential risks posed by unauthorised and hazardous operations.