US officials say deadly poison sent to White House

US officials say deadly poison sent to White House
The New York Times reported on Saturday that letters containing ricin were sent 'in recent days' to the White House and to federal agencies in Texas. Source: AFP
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Daily US Times: US media outlets reported on Saturday, citing law enforcement officials that an envelope addressed to the White House contained a substance identified as ricin, a deadly poison.

Citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, CNN reports that the package was intercepted “earlier this week” and two tests were done on the envelope to identify the lethal substance.

The New York Times citing an unnamed law enforcement official briefed on the matter, reported that letters were sent “in recent days” to the White House and to federal agencies in the US state of Texas.

The newspaper reported that investigators believe the package was sent from Canada and have identified a woman as a suspect.

The Times said the incident is currently under investigation and investigators are looking into whether more such envelopes have been mailed.

According to a report from Reuters news agency, being asked about the reports, the FBI said the agency and “US Secret Service and US Postal Inspection Service partners are investigating a suspicious letter received at a US government mail facility”.

The FBI said in its statement: “At this time, there is no known threat to public safety,”

The US Secret Service and The White House declined to comment on Saturday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website that ricin is a poison found in castor beans and there is no antidote for the deadly substance.

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