RICIN found in letter to US senator’s office

US: US authorities intercepted a letter that contained the deadly poison ricin and was bound for Senator Roger Wicker’s office, officials said Tuesday, triggering new security concerns a day after the terror attack in Boston.

The tainted letter was detected during a routine mail inspection at an off-site facility and did not reach the US Capitol or Wicker’s Washington office, a Senate aide said, citing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrance Gainer broke the news to the chamber’s members, saying in a statement that “the Senate mail handling facility that services members’ DC offices has received mail that tested positive for ricin.” Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano briefed senators about the incident during a closed-door meeting Tuesday evening on the Boston bombings, the Senate aide told reporters.

Wicker released a brief statement saying the matter is under investigation by the FBI and US Capitol Police.

AFP