Illegal Biolab Faces More Charges in Central California

Federal authorities have announced additional charges against Jia Bei Zhu, 62, and Zhaoyan Wang, 38, following the discovery of an illegal underground biolab in Central California last fall. Zhu, a Chinese citizen, was previously indicted for distributing counterfeit COVID-19 test kits and making false statements regarding his identity and involvement with the biolabs. The new charges against Wang, described as Zhu's romantic and business partner, stem from their alleged conspiracy to defraud buyers of COVID-19 test kits. Court documents reveal that from August 2020 to March 2023, Zhu and Wang imported hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 test kits from a company they controlled in China, Ai De Ltd. They misrepresented these kits as being manufactured in the United States and falsely claimed that their company, UMI and PBI, could produce up to 100,000 kits weekly. Additionally, they asserted that the kits were associated with CDC-certified labs and had received FDA approval. During a health inspection of the biolab, authorities discovered nearly 1,000 lab mice, with 200 found dead. While Zhu has not been charged in connection with the biological agents found in the facility, the implications of the operation raise significant public health concerns. Zhu's next court appearance is scheduled for September 11, while Wang's current status remains uncertain, as she is not in custody and her whereabouts are unknown. If convicted, both Zhu and Wang could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud, along with additional sentences for other charges related to the distribution of fake medical devices and false statements.