Nov 11, 2009 1:02 pm US/Eastern
Suspicious Package A False Alarm At Belarus Office
Authorities Called To Consulate General Of The Republic Of Belarus To Investigate Letter
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Hazardous Material Tactical Unit firemen arrive at a building where the UK mission to the UN has its offices, Nov. 10, 2009 in New York. The UK mission and four other missions to the UN received letters containing white powder sparking an anthrax scare.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
What was initially said to be the seventh report of a powder-laced letter sent to foreign officials in New York City turned out to be a false alarm, CBS 2 has learned.
Police were called to 708 Third Avenue, which houses the Consulate General Of The Republic Of Belarus, Wednesday morning, but said there was no suspicious package for investigation.
Envelopes containing a non-toxic white powder have been arriving at numerous consulates and missions to the United Nations all week, likely keeping officials at foreign offices across the city on high alert for potential threats.
Th Russian Mission to the United Nations was the sixth and latest office to receive the suspicious package, with officers responding to the building on the Upper East Side about 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to Sgt. Reginald Watkins.
Initial tests of at least five of the seven indicate the material is harmless. Police believe the envelopes appear to be part of an elaborate hoax.
Wednesday morning's envelope seems to fit the pattern of the five others, sources told CBS 2.
At least four of the letters were in the same type of business size envelopes sent from the same region in Texas and several included a note with the words "AL QAIDA FBI IN AMERICA'' in block letters. Tests on the powder Tuesday turned up negative for the deadly anthrax spores.
The missions to the United Kingdom and Germany received similar envelopes on Tuesday. On Monday, three arrived at the missions of France, Austria and Uzbekistan.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said three of the envelopes contained flour.
CBS 2 was on the scene of the Russian Mission on East 67th Street early Wednesday as the NYPD and HAZMAT teams investigated the threat.
The terrifying letter campaign is eerily similar to the 2001 anthrax attacks.
But unlike the envelopes of eight years ago, the contents of which killed five people and infected 17 others, police said the most recent mailings did not contain the deadly anthrax spores. They are believed to be part of an elaborate hoax. The white material has been deemed harmless.
"Anybody that thinks that it's a joke is making a very bad mistake. If we apprehend you you're going to face criminal charges," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
HAZMAT teams have taken no chances, decontaminating 33 people who worked at the French, Uzbekistan and Austrian buildings. The secretary at the German Consulate was also decontaminated.
"We caution all of the missions here at the United Nations to be careful with their mail and if they see any suspicious envelopes not to open them. If they do open them to segregate them and call police immediately," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
New Yorkers and visitors alike are not amused.
"It's really too bad that people think this is either funny or a way to get something that they want. It's just really a shame," said Mike Mazzocco, who was visiting from Chicago.
"Maybe mentally disturbed or just angry but, to send it without a note that would actually declare why you're doing it seems a bit unstable," added Steven Falkinstein of Metuchen, N.J.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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