‘Anthrax’ Graffiti at Port of Long Beach Proves to Be False Alarm

By Anna Boyd
16:33, April 3rd 2008
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Authorities were investigating a cargo container marked with black graffiti saying “Anthrax a gift from Osama,” sent to Pier T at the Port of Long Beach on Wednesday morning.

The container was on a truck that was stopped at a terminal around 10:30 a.m. Fortunately, the container was found to be empty and showed no sign of contamination, Long Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Frank Hayes said, according to local Long Beach Press-Telegram

He said the truck driver who did not speak Englich picked up the container in Wilmington. When the driver approached the Port, a security guard saw the graffiti inscription and called authorities at 10:23 a.m. The container was further moved to an isolated area of the port for inspection and hazardous materials crews wearing oxygen tanks and protective suits have opened it.

"Everything we've been able to test does not indicate any kind of a contaminant, including anthrax," Hayes said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The FBI investigators took samples from inside the container and they will need at least 72 hours to process the results.

“Due to the nature of the threat, we’re taking every precaution possible,” Hayes said adding that after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, port security must report and investigate “anything that could be a possible terrorist act or endanger port relations.”



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