State probes three locations that received greeting cards with white powdery substance

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

Authorities are investigating a white powdery substance that was delivered in greeting cards to three locations in the Merrimack Valley today, according to State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.

“Our regional hazmat team for that area of the state has responded to three locations, in Methuen, Lawrence, and Haverhill,” said Coan. “Each one of them has some similarity. Each recipient received a greeting card through the US mail today with a return address in Haverhill that contained an unidentified white powdery substance.”

The first envelope was delivered to a Home Depot in Methuen at 10 a.m., Coan said.

Police were notified shortly after that two locations in Lawrence and Haverhill had also received suspicious cards, he said.

The cards did not include any threatening message, Coan said.

A preliminary test of the substance found in Methuen revealed that the powder was not hazardous, but it will be sent to the state Department of Public Health laboratory for further analysis, he said.

The locations in Lawrence and Haverhill remain active scenes and the substances will be tested, Coan said. He did not disclose the exact locations but said that they are not residences.

Local police are investigating the incidents, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified, Coan said.

No injuries have been reported

“As far as I know, there have been no exposure issues or any personnel that have felt ill effects,” Coan said.