Major RCMP operation linked to White House ricin letter underway in Quebec
Posted September 21, 2020 9:03 am.
Last Updated September 21, 2020 10:27 am.
ST-HUBERT, Que. – A major RCMP operation is underway in Quebec in connection with a letter containing ricin that was sent to the White House and addressed to President Donald Trump.
The RCMP confirmed the operation in a pair of tweets, saying they are involved in an investigation in St. Hubert, a suburb of Montreal.
Mounties tell CityNews Montreal they are executing a search warrant at a residence linked to the mail sent to the White House, as well as packages sent to five locations in Texas.
RCMP says they became involved in the investigation last week when the FBI notified them about the suspicious letters. The FBI is not on site at this operation south of Montreal, but RCMP assisting in their investigation #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) September 21, 2020
The RCMP had earlier tweeted that its Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives team (CBRNE) was leading the investigation, with police and fire teams from Longueuil also standing by.
“All necessary measures have been taken to ensure public safety,” one of the tweets reads.
This comes as federal charges are expected to be laid against a woman arrested by U.S. officers at the Peace Bridge border crossing near Buffalo.
RCMP operation underway in St-Hubert, Quebec in relation to the ricin letter sent to the White House #cdnpoli https://t.co/3YONGUh7PW
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) September 21, 2020
Reports say she may have had a gun on her at the time of her arrest.
Canadian law enforcement was called in to help the FBI after American authorities found evidence the suspicious letter had originated in Canada.
The nationality of the suspect is not known.
