'Suspicious' Mesquite Package Contained Example Bomb Materials
MESQUITE (CBSDFW.COM) -- A package that accidentally tore open at the UPS Mesquite Distribution Center last Friday did not have an explosive device, experts say. However, it did have real-looking materials that appeared like an explosive device of some sort.
"It had inside, materials from the National Abortion Federation including testing materials," said Capt. Jeff Miller of the Mesquite Fire Department.
Mesquite Fire Captain Jeff Miller
The box also had instructions for clinics to follow if they receive such materials. The examples had apparently been sent to clinics, which Miller says explains why everything looked so real.
A UPS employee came across the box during a transfer from one truck to another. It is not uncommon for boxes or packages to become damaged during shipment, Miller says.
The employee was rewrapping the package when the contents became exposed. The wires and materials alarmed the worker, who called for help. Supervisors called the fire department and the building was evacuated.
"When we don't have any information beforehand of what we're dealing with...we have to be as cautious as we can be and treat it as a real threat and act accordingly," said Miller.
Acting accordingly included diverting trucks to Town Center Mall and temporarily shutting down a segment of Samuel Boulevard. Because technicians did not know the materials were inert, the bomb squad had to "disarm" the contents to be on the safe side.
Miller did not have access to reports indicating where the package was being shipped.
The National Abortion Federation has not returned our phone calls.
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