RCMP probe underway into contaminated letter addressed to White House

Canadian police are investigating the origins of an envelope sent to the White House reported to contain the poison ricin. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

OTTAWA — Canadian police are conducting an operation near Montreal related to an investigation into an envelope addressed to the White House that reportedly contained the poison ricin.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Monday on Twitter that its “Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives team” is leading the operation in the suburb of Saint-Hubert. Local police and firefighters are also on site.

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“Ongoing police operation … related to the contaminated letter sent to the White House. More details to come,” the RCMP said. “All necessary measures have been taken to ensure public safety.”