Over 70 letters addressed to Kansas lawmakers and public officials contained a “suspicious” white powder that is being investigated by local and federal authorities, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The number shared by state law enforcement over social media Saturday is more than double the at least 30 letters received by officials across the state Friday afternoon.
The Kansas City Star and Topeka Capital-Journal reported that Republicans in the Kansas House and Senate had received the letters. Spokeswomen for the House and Senate Democrats told Kansas Reflector they weren’t aware of any Democrats who had received a letter.
No injuries have been reported.
On Friday the recipients included Kansas Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach.
Kansas Highway Patrol alerted director of Legislative Administrative Services Tom Day Friday that the letters or packages of three or four other lawmakers had been submitted for further investigation.
Day told legislators the letters had return addresses in Topeka and Kansas City
Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, also sent a message to Kansas senators about the packages, warning them to be alert and use caution while opening mail.
“If you have something that looks odd, please contact the KBI prior to opening OR if you find a white substance, please call the KBI prior to handling,” Masterson said.
KBI agents were investigating with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and local police and fire departments.
Hazmat teams were also working to collect the letters for further investigation.
