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Rincin AP
Forward from Terrorism list:
From: [email protected] (MR JAMES P DENNEY)
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 19:45:44, -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: RICIN ALERT
Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
Merced/Mariposa Narcotic Task Force
RE: RICIN Alert
The Sacramento Regional Office of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
has offered this alert to all it's personnel:
"The following alert has been confirmed and is being shared
throughout the law enforcement and intelligence community.
This alert advises that nationwide trend among drug traffickers is to
"bait" law enforcement officers with a white powder called RICIN.
RICIN is a derivative of Castor beans and looks like powder
methamphetamine. It is highly toxic and if it contacts human skin, it
is fatal. The death process takes several days, depending upon the
dosage, and is almost impossible to detect during an autopsy.
Forensic experts advise that if you field test RICIN in the Scott
Reagent Kit, it will foam and bubble extensively. The test will also
produce a gas that is very similar to mustard gas and can also be
lethal if inhaled. RICIN is 6,000 times more lethal than cyanide and
there is no antidote. Symptoms of contact exposure to RICIN are:
Fever, cough, weakness, and hypothermia, progressing to dangerously
low blood pressure, heart failure and death.
Due to this situation, in the event of suspect drug seziures, do not
come into direct skin contact with any powdered substances, and
exhibit caution of field testing any powdered substances."
We are forwarding this advisory to all California EMS Agencies and
recommend that each agency contact the local hospitals in their area.
We are unaware if RICIN can be detected on a toxicological exam.
There is a potential for someone, other than law enforcement, to
become contaminated with this substance.
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