[ rfe/rl banner ]

U.S. Secret Service Says Letter Addressed To Obama Contained 'Suspicious' Substance

April 17, 2013

The U.S. Secret Service says a letter addressed to President Barack Obama containing a "suspicious" substance was found at a mail-screening facility outside the White House.

The letter was discovered at the remote facility, which is used to screen White House mail, on April 16, the same day authorities said a letter was sent to Senator Roger Wicker that tested positive for ricin, a deadly poison.

Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said the agency was working closely with U.S. Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to trace the origins of the letter.

The discovery of the suspicious letters comes after the bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon on April 15 that killed three people and injured more than 170.

Law enforcement officials have not said whether they believe the letters are related in any way to the Boston bombings.

U.S. television networks later on April 17 reported parts of the U.S. Capitol were evacuated after the discovery of at least one suspicious package.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/us-obma-letter-suspicious/24960623.html

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Homeland Security

U.S. Secret Service Says Letter Addressed To Obama Contained 'Suspicious' Substance