Two held after 'ricin' find
|
A suspected white supremacist and his son are being held under the Terrorism Act after the discovery of what is thought to be ricin.
Anti-terror officers raided the 41-year-old's home in Myrtle Grove, Burnopfield, County Durham, and discovered traces of the toxin following a search.
His 18-year-old son was also arrested and held on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following a swoop at his home in Grampian Court, Annfield Plain. He has since been re-arrested and is also now detained under the Terrorism Act in West Yorkshire.
Assistant Chief Constable Michael Barton said: 'Specialist police officers have been carrying out a meticulous search of the (Myrtle Grove) property, which is a two-up two-down terraced house.
'They have uncovered a substance, which we believe has traces of ricin. It was in a sealed jam jar that has been kept in a kitchen cupboard - apparently for up to two years. Tests on the substance were carried out at a Government laboratory in Edinburgh on Thursday.'
Durham Police said the arrests followed a long-running intelligence-led operation against extreme right-wing activity.
Mr Barton said officers in specialist protective clothing were expected to continue their search of the house for several days.
'There may be other suspicious items in the property. Staff are on a heightened state of alert to what could be found and a cordon will remain in place until experts confirm there are no further suspicious substances at the address.
'Immediate neighbours to the house, who are fully supportive of the police operation, are being spoken to about the latest developments.
'They are being given advice and will be kept fully informed. On scientific advice we are told there is no need for them to be evacuated.'
Ricin has been used in plots by suspected al-Qaeda operatives and can be fatal if inhaled, ingested or - most dangerously - injected.
It is made from the beans of the castor oil plant and is 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide.
© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
