Reedley biolab cleanup enters final phase as crews remove illicit testing kits

The final illicit materials remaining inside the former Reedley biolab are being removed and sent to Southern California for destruction, marking the latest milestone in a years-long cleanup effort following the discovery of the illegal facility.

Large trucks backed into the loading dock of 850 I St. in Reedley on Monday as crews from the California Department of Public Health and the city began removing approximately 100 pallets of illicit testing kits left inside the abandoned warehouse.

"We have hundreds of thousands of devices that have to be destroyed. They're not safe to go out," said Jesalyn Harper, City of Reedley Senior Code Enforcement Officer.

The pallets contain embargoed pregnancy tests, COVID-19 tests and other medical testing devices that officials say will be transported to the Los Angeles area for disposal.

"It will be incinerated just to prevent it from going back out on the market," Harper said.

The removal operation represents the final batch of illegal items discovered inside the biolab that drew national attention after its discovery in 2022.

Officials previously found more than 800 chemicals, mice used for testing, and dozens of refrigerators storing infectious disease samples, including E. coli, malaria, HIV, and COVID-19.

The lab's operator, Jia Bei Zhu Joo, also known as David He, was found guilty on 12 counts connected to the facility.

An investigation is also continuing in Las Vegas, where authorities earlier this year found another biolab inside a home believed to be linked to him.

Harper, a senior Reedley code enforcement officer, first uncovered signs of the operation after noticing a garden hose protruding from the building.

"Did you even think when you discovered that garden hose that we'd be here today? Not at all, not at all," Harper said.

City officials said legal challenges, regulatory hurdles, and bureaucracy slowed the cleanup process. Officials estimate it has taken about four years to clear 13 tons of abandoned materials and biohazards from the site.

"We had to literally break down the components inside the lab per agency," Joselyn said.

"We certainly learned hard and fast what we had to do on our own, and we got our city through a really challenging incident," said City Manager Nicole Zieba.

Officials say the case exposed gaps in biosecurity laws governing privately funded laboratories. Congressman Jim Costa is now proposing legislation in response.

"There were significant challenges because this was unprecedented in the county of Fresno," said Joe Prado, Director of the Fresno Health Department.

"There wasn't a legal framework for us to follow as it relates to private laboratories. There is an opportunity in our nation's biosecurity to really evaluate privately funded laboratories and regulate them as well," Prado said.

The warehouse has been posted unsafe to occupy due to structural issues that officials say include roof leaks and electrical hazards.

City officials said several parties have expressed interest in purchasing the property. The building is currently owned by a Chinese national in the Bay Area, and the city is preparing a notice requiring the owner to either demolish the structure or bring it into compliance with code requirements.

"While we're going to be concluding physically here on the side, the battle is still not over. We still have to get that legislation passed to protect our communities," Harper said.

Officials said the remaining illicit testing devices are expected to be destroyed within the next few days. One additional truck remains to be loaded. Sentencing for Jia Bei Zhu Joo is expected sometime next month.

For news and weather updates, follow Brisa Colón on Facebook, X and Instagram.