Negative Results in Reported White Powder Letters

The FBI, working with Portland Fire Bureau, Portland Police Bureau, and the Port of Portland, is investigating two incidents involving reported white powder letters received late Wednesday (May 9, 2012) afternoon. Preliminary field tests by Portland Fire Bureau showed that neither letter contained a toxic substance. The FBI has taken custody of both letters and transported them to the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory for confirmatory testing. That testing will take up to five days.

The first letter was received at the Port of Portland administrative offices. The second was received at the Hilton Hotel.

A third letter was received on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Lloyd Center mall. Preliminary tests on that third letter were also negative, and it is also undergoing testing at the Public Health Laboratory.

The FBI is investigating all three incidents, but, at this time, it is too early to determine whether the incidents are connected.

“The FBI takes all white powder threats—including those that turn out to be hoaxes—very seriously,” said Beth Anne Steele, spokesperson for the FBI in Oregon. “Anyone who sends a threat such as these can expect us to investigate thoroughly and aggressively.”

Due to the on-going nature of these investigations, no further information will be released at this time.