Law enforcement sources said the suspicious packages arrived at about 3:40 p.m. on Aug. 14 on the 9th floor of the federal building that is also the site of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) courts. The location has become infamous in recent months as federal agents have seized numerous immigrants appearing at court-mandated hearings on the 12th floor.
Photo by Dean Moses
Federal agents and the NYPD are investigating after someone sent envelopes full of white powder to 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of immigrant detainees.
Law enforcement sources said about five suspicious letters arrived at about 4 p.m. on Aug. 14 on the 9th floor of the federal building, where ICE offices are located, and also the site of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) courts. The location has become infamous in recent months as federal agents have seized numerous immigrants appearing at court-mandated hearings on the 12th floor.
“Envelopes containing an unidentified white powder were discovered on the ninth floor. First and foremost, I would like to ensure the public that there are no injuries at this time,” Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry said. “We are waiting on the test results to determine the contents of the envelope, and we will keep the public updated as more information becomes available.”
Emergency service personnel were called, and all individuals on the ninth floor were evacuated, along with several surrounding floors, including ICE detainees. The FDNY Hazmat Team and the FBI responded to the scene.
The location where the letters were opened is below a reported facility on the 10th floor where ICE has been holding detainees; on Wednesday, a judge ruled that ICE must no longer hold immigrants at the location following reports of overcrowded and inhumane conditions.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office Christopher Raia said that the FBI said the substance was sent to their Quantico office for testing. While he does not see evidence that the substance is dangerous at this point, he warned against sending threatening packages.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind the public that sending threatening letters of this nature, whether real or a hoax, is a crime,” Raia said. “It diverts valuable limited law enforcement resources, as you’ve all seen tonight in the majority of my experience, most of these incidents turn out to be not nothing. However, this matter is not going to be taken lightly.”
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