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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 01/15/2003 12:02:54 PM PST by RCW2001
BETSY BLANEY, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
©2003 Associated Press
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/01/15/national1454EST0721.DTL
(01-15) 11:54 PST LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) --
The FBI said Wednesday that vials containing samples of lethal bubonic plague reported missing from Texas Tech University had been located.
"We have accounted for all those missing vials and we have determined that there is no danger to public safety whatsoever," FBI Agent Lupe Gonzalez said.
He said the vials, which were being used for research, were all recovered Wednesday. City officials had been unsure if the vials were stolen or merely misplaced.
©2003 Associated Press
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Considering the bathing habits of most terrorists, some of them probably have it whether they want it or not.
A spokeswoman at the FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. has told CPI News exclusively that although the vials had been accounted for, they were not necessarily found or in a secure location. She did confirm that it is being considered a criminal investigation with possible prosecution. The spokeswoman would not release her last name, but identified herself as Charlene.
CPI Investigative Reporter Steve Pope spoke with several other sources in the FBI, all of which refused to verify whether authorities actually had possession of the vials. There was also no comment on whether the vials had been tampered with or not.
The vials that are believed to contain the deadly plague virus have been "accounted for" according to FBI spokeswoman Laurie Bailey in Dallas. However, Bailey refused comment as to whether the vials have actually been found or are secure. "There is no threat to the public safety from these vials" Bailey said.
The FBI refused further comment other than to say that the probe into the missing vials is a criminal investigation and the results of the FBI investigation will be referred for prosecution to the U.S. Attorneys office. Bailey would not comment on a possible motive or suspect in the case.
When asked if the vials have actually been located or were secure, Bailey said that she could not comment on the specifics, other than to say the vials were "accounted for."
According to a Texas Tech University Police Department source, approximately 30-35 vials of bubonic plague had been missing from a University lab. The Lubbock office of the FBI, as well as state and local authorities were called in to investigate the disappearance.
According to the CDC, about ten to twenty people get the bubonic plague in the United States each year. Out of those, only about one to seven die on an annual basis. The plague can be treated by antibiotics; however, it's symptoms are hard to spot.
Thanks and what is with the play on words..?
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