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A suspicious substance was discovered at offices of two Hampton Roads representatives Friday.
Updated: Monday, 25 Feb 2013, 5:51 PM EST
Published : Monday, 25 Feb 2013, 3:53 PM EST
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A red substance sent in mail to two local congressmen last week was likely letter sealing wax, according to Tim Riley with the Virginia Beach Fire Department.
The letters, which were non-threatening and non-hazardous in nature, were sent to the Virginia Beach office of Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA) and the Chesapeake office of Randy Forbes (R-VA) Friday afternoon.
The substance was tested the same day and found to be non-hazardous. HAZMAT crews, the FBI, local police and firefighters, Capitol Police, and Homeland Security responded to the two offices.
Riley said the sealing was likely pulverized from mail processing machines.
Samples of the sealing were sent to a lab in Richmond for further testing.
Authorities have spoken with a suspect allegedly responsible for sending the letters and say he has been cooperative. Officials also say the suspect posed no threat and was simply exercising his right to free speech.
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