A Chinese-linked company was found running an unlicensed California biolab that contained at least 20 potentially infectious diseases, including coronavirus, HIV, hepatitis, and herpes.
Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese citizen residing in Clovis, has been arrested for manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices and making false statements to the FDA.
Zhu changed his name and the names of his companies to avoid detection. (Poll: Will Joe Biden’s Border Crisis Be WORSE in 2024? VOTE)
He and others manufactured and distributed hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 test kits and other test kits without the required authorizations. Some test kits were mislabeled.
The warehouse was discovered by local and federal agents in Fresno County. The illegal and unlicensed laboratory was full of lab mice, medical waste, and hazardous materials. (Trending: US Forces Attacked By Suicide Drones)
Federal agents interviewed a man named Xiuquin Yao who was running a company at the warehouse called “Prestige BioTech.” Yao served as president of the company.
Zhu made false statements about his identity and the activities of his companies when questioned by FDA officials.
The investigation revealed non-permitted plumbing and various test kits at a warehouse in Reedley.
Zhu now faces charges that could result in a maximum of eight years in prison if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert said, “As part of his scheme, the defendant changed his name, the names of his companies, and their locations.”
“The disarray at the Reedley lab led to the glare of publicity he was trying to avoid, and the ensuing investigation unraveled his efforts to circumvent the requirements that are designed to ensure that medical devices are safe and effective.”
“Providing materially false information to FDA inspectors regarding medical device manufacturing and distribution impedes the agency’s ability to protect public health, especially when those false statements relate to unauthorized and misbranded COVID-19 tests,” he continued.
“Consumers who unknowingly use these misbranded COVID tests run the risk of incorrect results about their COVID status, which can lead to further spread of the virus,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert M. Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who jeopardize the health of U.S. consumers.”
The company was registered in Nevada, but the owners used “empty offices or addresses in China that could not be verified,” according to court documents filed in the case. Prestige BioTech was not licensed in California.
“Hundreds of mice at the warehouse were kept in inhumane conditions, court documents said.”
After taking over the warehouse and possession of the animals, the city euthanized 773 of them. More than 175 were found dead.
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