Suspicious Powder Sent to 3 NY Consulates

Hazmat teams clear French, Austrian, Uzbek missions

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2009 3:37 AM CST

(Newser) – The FBI is seeking a suspect with an apparent grudge against the French, Austrians, and Uzbeks after envelopes containing a suspicious white powder arrived at the three nations' New York diplomatic missions yesterday. Hazardous material units were sent to the consulates and decontaminated dozens of employees. No traces of anthrax or other dangerous substance were found in the envelopes, AP reports. All three envelopes were posted from Dallas, and at least one contained a note that referred to al-Qaeda.

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French expatriates line up to cast their vote in the French presidential election at the French Consulate in New York City. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

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The FBI is working with the NYPD to determine the origin of these letters. Our field office will follow all leads to locate the sender.
- Richard Kolko, spokesman for the FBI's New York office

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Suspicious Powder Sent to 3 NY Consulates