Dozens Quarantined at Alameda Customs Office After 'White Powder' Discovered

ALAMEDA, CA — Three people were sickened and dozens were quarantined Wednesday at the Alameda Customs Office after a white powdery substance was sent to the office, firefighters confirmed to Patch.

A “hot zone” was established outside the Customs and Border Patrol office in town, according to firefighters.

Alameda Fire Department Spokesman Firefighter Juan Medrano says that at around 12:43 p.m., authorities got a call from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office located in the 2400 block of Mariner Square Loop.

“An employee opened an envelope, felt a powdery substance and began to feel ill,” Medrano said.

First arriving crews immediately set up the quarantine. Medrano estimates that between 20 and 50 people are inside that zone.

Soon thereafter, another two people began to feel ill, he said. However, he described the sicknesses as “non life-threatening.”

“They are all within the quarantined area and being treated there,” he said of the three people.

Medrano said the Alameda County Fire Department’s Hazmat team was responding to identify exactly what the substance is. From there, they will “...determine how we can decontaminate the individuals if we even need to, based on the severity “

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