Ricin-laced package sent to White House, FBI says

WASHINGTON — A package addressed to the White House and containing ricin, a lethal poison, intercepted by investigators.

“The FBI and our U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service partners are investigating a suspicious letter received at a U.S. government mail facility,” officials said in a statement. “At this time, there is no known threat to public safety.”

Two tests are being conducted to confirm the toxin’s presence, CNN reported. Ricin is produced as a byproduct from castor oil. There is no known antidote.

All mail sent to the White House is sorted and screened off site. Investigators believe it was sent from Canada, The New York Times reported.

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