A thorough investigation revealed no suspicious packages or letters at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in D.C. after screening equipment alerted officials to the presence of a possibly harmful substance Tuesday, according to Defense Intelligence Agency spokesman Thomas Veale.
The FBI took samples for further testing off site.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters Tuesday there was an incident at the Bolling base that involved the “same substance” as recent letters sent to President Barack Obama and a U.S. senator.
The alert was at a DIA headquarters mail-sorting facility on the base, said a U.S. official who requested anonymity.
DIA maintained normal operations as the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Fire Department investigated, but Brookley Avenue was closed for the safety of fire personnel. No one was evacutated.
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling representative Joseph Cirone confirmed a hazmat investigation at the base.
"We don't yet know the nature or the substance," he said.
Charges against Paul Kevin Curtis in connection with last week's ricin-tainted letters case were dropped Tuesday. Everett Dutschke, of Tupelo, Miss., told the Associated Press the FBI is searching his home in connection with last week's ricin letters. He maintained his innocence and said he knows nothing about ricin's ingredients.
