Hazmat Team Inspects Cargo Container Reading “Anthrax a Gift From Osama” - Long Beach California
April 2, 2008
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UPDATE: Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach this morning marked with black graffiti saying “Anthrax a gift from Osama” found no initial signs of contaminants.
Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
“Everything we’ve been able to test does not indicate any kind of a contaminant, including anthrax,” Hayes said shortly after 2 p.m.
The local teams turned over test samples to FBI investigators, who will need at least 72 hours to process the results, Hayes said.
Investigators plan to keep the container in isolation until then, Hayes said, although, “all indications are pointing towards there being no contaminants.”
The investigation began after a truck driver hauling the container was stopped as he attempted to enter a terminal on Pier T at 10:30 a.m., said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes. The driver told investigators that he had checked the container earlier this morning before driving it from Wilmington and that it was empty, Hayes said.
Original Story
Authorities have closed off an area near Pier T and isolated an outbound cargo container in the Port of Long Beach while they prepare to search the container carrying the words “Anthrax a gift from Osama.”LBFD and Los Angeles County hazardous materials crews were suiting up to inspect the container, said LBFD Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Fire Department and Long Beach police and port crews set up a command post at Pier T Avenue and Pier T Way near the entrance of the Hanjin terminal, upwind from the container.
Hayes said the container was picked up in Wilmington by a driver who didn’t speak English. When the driver approached the Hanjin terminal, a security guard looked at graffiti on the container that said, “Anthrax a gift from Osama,” and called authorities at 10:23 a.m.
Authorities shut down a lumber yard near the terminal. No evacuation was called.
The driver reportedly had opened up the container, which didn’t have cargo, and didn’t find anything suspicious, authorities said.
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