'Ricin' probe at military facility

US officials said a package containing what is thought to be ricin has been found at a military mail sorting facility in Washington DC.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid told reporters there was an incident at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling which involved the “same substance” as recent letters sent to US president Barack Obama and a US senator.

A US official said the package was found at a Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) headquarters mail-sorting facility on the base.

The official added initial tests indicated possible ricin.

The DIA said tests indicated possible biological toxins.