Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

American Samoa officials send white powder offshore for testing

Posted at 22:47 on 21 December, 2008 UTC

A white powdery substance which was found in an envelope received in the mail at the American Samoa Governor’s Office has been sent off island for testing.

The white substance was found in a letter addressed to Governor Togiola Tulafono.

The Acting Commissioner of Public Safety Filifaatali Mike Fuiava says a secretary in the Governor’s Office opened the suspect envelope.

All offices in the three story Executive Office Building were evacuated while hazardous material repsonse crews entered the third floor and removed the envelope.

The secretary who opened it was taken to the hospital for a check up and later released,

The acting commissioner says information received from the FBI office in Honolulu indicates that tests of white powder contained in letters received by governors in other states is corn starch, but they’re not taking any chances.