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Anthrax Mailed Last Fall Was Newly Made:Report
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Carbon
dating has concluded that the anthrax used in attacks was new
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WASHINGTON,
June 23 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – While early reports
stated that the anthrax sent in the mail last fall originated from a
source developed in the U.S. twenty years ago, scientists have now
determined that the anthrax powder used in the attacks was no more
than two years old, raising concerns that whoever sent it could make
more and strike again, the New York Times reported Sunday.
The new finding appears to lay to rest one theory maintained by some
investigators: that the culprit had stolen or somehow obtained an old
laboratory sample of powdered anthrax, from a strain first identified
in 1981.
"It's modern," one official told the Times. "It was
grown, and therefore it can be grown again and again."
The official stated that carbon dating was used to determine the life
of the anthrax samples.
Officials
are more convinced than ever that the person behind the mailings has a
direct and current connection to a microbiology laboratory, possibly
one operated by the U.S. government, and may have access to
state-of-the-art equipment, news agencies reported.
"We're still looking for someone who fits the criteria of
training, knowledge, education, experience and skill," an unnamed
government official told the daily.
Authorities acknowledge that they have no prime suspect in the case.
Investigators have a list of about 50 people, according to the Times.
Five people were killed and numerous people fell ill in the anthrax
attacks last autumn, when the deadly bacteria were sent in the U.S.
mail.
Although
investigators have failed as yet to crack the case, it has not been
for lack of trying: according to the Times they have used
round-the-clock surveillance, eavesdropping, and searches conducted
under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Agents also have conducted 5,000 interviews and served more than 1,700
grand jury subpoenas, all at the cost of millions of dollars, but to
no avail. So far, even the offer of a $2.5 million reward has failed
to produce a breakthrough.
The FBI has stated that the anthrax attacks, which are labeled as
domestic terrorism, originated in the U.S. and most likely were
carried out by a lone American male who used the attacks on September
11 as a smokescreen in order to throw investigators off track in an
investigation. He is also reported to have a feeling of resentment
against society.
"We just can't seem to catch a break," one government
official told the daily.
So far, only one man has been arrested and sentenced in an
anthrax-related attack. Last week, a California man was sentenced to
21 months in prison for sending three fake anthrax threat letters
through the mail. There was no connection established between him and
the attacks of last fall.
Prosecutors said the letters were actually laced with scented talcum
powder made by the Victoria's Secret lingerie chain.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office in
Northern California, Antonio Miguel Flores, 21, was indicted in
December for sending letters bearing scrawled threats such as
"ANTHRAX you're gonna Die!" and "I Will Kill You
...Soon" to other Californians.
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