This week, a package of crystal meth from Europe forced the New York Board of Elections office to shut down for several hours.
The Dutchess County Board of Elections office was closed for three hours Monday after authorities discovered a suspicious package from Europe, prompting a hazardous materials team to respond to the office and investigate.
“It came in through UPS from Greece. Prior to Greece, the inner envelope also made its way to several other countries, including France,” Republican Election Commissioner Eric Hite told Mid-Hudson News. It was then sent via UPS to the Dutchess County Board of Elections.” . “I know the FBI is involved and will be working with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and state police to determine who sent this to us and why.”
A bipartisan team of BOE employees reported suspicious packages to the Commissioner, who then donned personal protective equipment and further investigated the packages before notifying law enforcement. A Dutchess County hazardous materials team eventually responded to the scene, according to a press release from the county elections board.
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Voters arrive at the polling station. (Reuters/Joel Page)
“Dutchess County Hazardous Materials personnel, under the supervision of bipartisan election officials, inspected the suspicious package. The material was carefully removed from the envelope and tested with advanced chemical and gas identification equipment. Hazardous Materials The handler determined that the substance was methamphetamine or worse, “commonly known as “crystal meth,”” the press release said.
The press release states that “no symptoms have been reported” by staff who came into contact with the packages.
The entrance to the office building that is home to the Dutchess County Board of Elections. (Google Maps)
County commissioners praised the three-hour closure of their offices, saying it “did not harm a single voter’s right to vote or our hardworking employees.”
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“The cowards who sent this dangerous chemical into our office could not have interfered with a single voter’s right to vote or harmed our hardworking staff. These bad guys. may try to hide in the shadows and stir up fear, but we will remain vigilant and do our job.”We are committed to providing free and fair elections to the good voters of Dutchess County. We can fulfill our oath,” Democratic Party Chair Hannah Black said in a press release.
People arrive to vote during early voting. (Christopher Mark Yun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“I join my colleague Chief Black in recognizing our employees and deeply grateful to all law enforcement, City of Poughkeepsie FD, and emergency personnel who assisted us through this stressful and dangerous ordeal. ,” Haight added.
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The sheriff’s office seized the package and is working with the FBI and state police to investigate. The Sheriff’s Office told Fox Digital on Tuesday that it has no updates to share regarding the investigation at this time.
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