Local and federal police evacuated Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan on Thursday after employees discovered five envelopes containing white powder. Officials say the envelopes were inside an office space shared between the FBI, Homeland Security, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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Boric acid and sodium salts are often used to kill a variety of insects, spiders, mites, weeds and mold, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.
Tests later confirmed the substance was boric acid. It’s commonly used in pesticides and other products, but is potentially harmful if ingested, according to the FBI.
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White powder discovery leads to evacuations
Employees discovered the envelopes Thursday afternoon in the ninth-floor mail room of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. The discovery prompted an immediate evacuation and hazmat response.
Police and federal agents secured the scene while investigators worked to determine the source. Law enforcement hasn’t made any arrests. However, authorities warn that whoever sent the letters — whether as a threat or a prank — could face serious federal charges.
“This is what we train for, that’s why today’s event was under control almost immediately without incident,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry.
Two employees exposed
Two people were initially exposed to the substance, but have since been cleared. Law enforcement did not report any injuries.
Authorities said the evacuation was part of standard safety procedures and “no threat remains to any employees or the public at this time.”
In a social media post on Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams stated that officials had briefed him on the situation.
26 Federal Plaza under scrutiny
26 Federal Plaza has recently come under scrutiny over alleged poor conditions for detainees at its ICE processing center –– claims the Trump administration has denied.
This week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to improve conditions at the facility.
Following Thursday’s scare, center employees relocated the detainees to a site in Newark, New Jersey, according to ABC7 New York.
