FBI CONDUCTING FORENSIC SEARCH ON PUBLIC LAND IN MARYLAND

The FBI and the U.S. Postal Service are conducting forensic searches on public land located near the City of Frederick, Maryland. These searches are related to the investigation of the origin of the anthrax-laced letters mailed in September and October 2001, which resulted in five deaths and 17 illnesses. The purpose of these searches is to locate and collect items of evidence related to the attacks. To facilitate the search activity, one pond will be drained. This pond is located in a municipal forest owned by the City of Frederick.

Based on extensive environmental testing already conducted, there is no indication of any threat to public health or safety associated with our search activities.

The searches currently in progress have been coordinated with the City of Frederick Police Department, City of Frederick Department of Public Works, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources.