Investigators believe they know the identity of the person who sent packages containing a substance that initially tested positive for ricin to the Pentagon, White House and the Houston offices of Texas Senator Ted Cruz earlier in the week. The packages at the Pentagon were addressed to Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson.
The packages were flagged before entering the Pentagon and handled at the mail processing center that is next door. Investigators believe the packages were sent by a former Navy sailor after they found a return address label on the one the envelopes. Officials have not identified the sailor, but are continuing their investigation.
A Pentagon spokesperson clarified that the envelopes did not contain weaponized ricin, but instead contained castor beans which naturally produce ricin. The beans can be lethal if swallowed and the ricin can be extracted to create a powder that is lethal if inhaled.
According to CNN, the envelopes were covered in messy writing and one letter contained an index card which said "Jack the missile bean" and "Stock powder."
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