Man in custody after entering Miramar ICE facility carrying package with "suspicious" substance, police say
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Miramar was partially evacuated Thursday morning due to a package with a "suspicious" substance.
According to Miramar police, shortly after a person walked into the building with the package, security reported feeling ill after touching it. The said package contained some sort of powdery substance.
Crews from Miramar Fire Rescue were called to the scene along with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and specialized hazardous materials teams.
The facility, which is east of I-75 and north of Miramar Parkway, was partially evacuated. The person who brought the package in remained in the building and was taken into custody.
Miramar police said federal authorities will handle the investigation.
Appointments delayed
The incident caused significant delays and concern for those with appointments at the facility.
Ana Perear's husband, for example, had an 8 a.m. appointment at the Miramar ICE office. However, by the time they arrived, people were being evacuated.
"We had to wait maybe two hours to get in there," Perear said. She spent hours waiting outside after police say a man brought the suspicious package. "Maybe it was a bomb? I don't know," Perear said.
Aerial footage from Chopper 4 showed long lines outside the entrance as hazmat teams arrived.
Janine Fernandez was among those waiting. She has to check in with ICE annually. "I'm outside, thank God," Fernandez said.
The package disrupted her planned errands for the day, as she noted that visits to the ICE facility are never quick.
"I'm worried because of personal problems I've had at home. I needed to be at home because of emergencies. Other times I've been here, it's been lengthy," Fernandez said.
