U.S. Government Releases a Classified Document to State & Local Authorities Regarding Ricin & Botulinum Toxin

Source: U.S. Government/Time Magazine.

04.01.03 |  According to Time Magazine, the U.S. Government issued a classified intelligence bulletin, on April 2, to state & local authorities to be on the lookout for the biological toxins, ricin and botulinum toxin.  The alert, known as "Improvised Chemical & Biological Agents", was issued to nearly 20,000 law enforcement agencies & described what signs that would indicate toxin production.

The alert was issued, at least in part, due to a raid on a radical Islamic compound in NE Iraq late last week in which homemade biological toxins were found.  Belonging to the group Ansar al-Islam, the compound was said to be "where Ansar al-Islam and al-Qaida had been working on poisons."  In an interview with CNN's "Late Edition", General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,  stated "We think that's probably where the ricin that was found in London came (from).  At least the operatives and maybe some of the formulas came from this site.

On March 25th 2003, the U.S. Government issued a heightened alert with the United States to specifically be on the lookout for botulinum toxin.  The most poisonous substance known to man, federal officials are concerned that we are extremely vulnerable to a bot tox attack and unprepared to deal with one, should it occur.

For information on Bot Tox or Ricin, please visit our:

1. Products page

2. Dictionary of Biological Defense page

3. Biological Defense Links page  

- To view this Time article in its entirety, please click here.

- To view the CNN article detailing a bot tox attack, click here.

(Note: The CDC link is an excellent reference tool.)