Law Enforcement Investigating 11 White Powder Letters Received at New Jersey Offices

NEWARK, NJ—The FBI is presently working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Passaic and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Offices, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the respective police departments in each locality where the letters have been received, and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Laboratory on an investigation of 11 letters containing a white powder. The letters were received at various public and government offices throughout Northern New Jersey, beginning on July 17, 2009. So far, letters have been received in Totowa, Clifton, Wayne, Ringwood, and Woodland Park (formerly known as West Paterson), and Fairlawn. All of the letters are being tested at the state laboratory facility. Presently, we have final results on the first three of the letters which have tested negative for biological agents. There is no indication anyone has been harmed. The matter is under investigation and we will not speculate on motive or connection between each letter incident.

Below is a recommended protocol for the public in the event a suspicious package or letter is received.

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