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Security of the Mail |
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The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI and Advo offer reward of up to $2.5 million for information leading to the arrest of anthrax mailers
The Postal Service and the FBI have upped the ante in their efforts to bring to justice the person or persons responsible for mailing anthrax-tainted mail. The FBI announced that the reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the anthrax mailer has been raised to $2.5 million.Both agencies have contributed an additional $500,000 to the reward pot. A nationally coordinated criminal investigation continues to focus on the anthrax-tainted letters sent from Trenton, NJ. To date, five people have died as a result of exposure to the anthrax virus. USPS has delivered a flyer requesting assistance from the American public that will initially be delivered to postal customers in the Trenton, NJ, area and to adjacent communities in Buck’s County, PA. Additionally, USPS has distributed flyers to New Jersey-area pharmaceutical companies and transportation depots servicing Trenton. The flyers contain a photograph of the four envelopes and information that may characterize the person who mailed them. The envelopes are not standard business size, but are pre-stamped and smaller, measuring 6 1/4 inches x 3 1/2 inches. They would have been sold at post offices and authorized retail outlets. The flyer indicates the person responsible for the five deaths caused by the mailings is "likely to have a scientific background or work history, which may include a specific familiarity with anthrax." Also, "the individual has a comfort level in and around the Trenton, NJ, area due to present or prior association." The investigation in New Jersey is being conducted by a task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and public health agencies at all levels, and has received a tremendous response from the public. As a result, thousands of leads have been called in and vigorously followed up. Information about suspicious persons or issues related to the investigation could be extremely important to the investigative team, the Inspection Service says. Anyone with information can call 1-800-CRIME TV (1-800-274-6388), or send an e-mail to amerithrax@fbi.gov. ### |
