Anthrax threat proves false

Hazardous-materials teams investigating a cargo container that arrived at the Port of Long Beach on Wednesday marked with black graffiti saying “Anthrax a gift from Osama” found no signs of contaminants, authorities said.

“Everything we’ve been able to test does not indicate any kind of a contaminant, including anthrax,” said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.

The local teams turned over test samples to FBI investigators, who will need at least 72 hours to process the results, Hayes said. Until then, the container will be quarantined.

The investigation began after a truck driver hauling the container was stopped as he attempted to enter a terminal on Pier T about 10:30 a.m., Hayes said. The driver told investigators that he had checked the container earlier Wednesday before driving it from Wilmington and that it was empty, Hayes said.

Hayes said investigators had no reason other than the graffiti to believe anthrax was in the container. Neither the driver nor anyone else in the area complained of illness or injury, Hayes said, and the port was fully operational Wednesday. None of the port facilities were evacuated, he said.

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-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske