(AP) – Envelopes containing suspicious powder were sent to three foreign consulates in Manhattan on Monday, but initial tests suggested the mailings were a hoax, police officials said.
A field test done on the powder sent the Uzbekistan Consulate came back negative for Anthrax or any other dangerous substance, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Brown said.
Envelopes containing a powder were also sent to the French and Austrian consulates.
The potential threat prompted an emergency response from federal and local authorities, including hazardous material units that decontaminated employees of the consulates who handled the envelopes.