'Anthrax' graffiti prompts probe at Port of Long Beach

Two teams conducted atmospheric monitoring tests of the inside of the container, and also swabbed surfaces for trace minerals, but found no signs of anthrax or other toxic chemicals, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.

"Everything we've been able to test does not indicate any kind of a contaminant, including anthrax," Hayes said shortly after 2 p.m.

The local teams turned over test samples to FBI investigators, who will need at least 72 hours to process the results, Hayes said.

Investigators plan to keep the container in isolation until then, Hayes said, although, "all indications are pointing towards there being no contaminants."

The investigation began after a truck driver hauling the container was stopped as he attempted to enter a terminal on Pier T at 10:30 a.m., said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes. The driver told investigators that he had checked the container earlier this morning before driving it from Wilmington and that it was empty, Hayes said.

Hayes said investigators had no reason other than the graffiti to believe anthrax was in the container. Neither the driver nor anyone else in the area complained of illness or injury, Hayes said, and the port was fully operational today. None of the port facilities have been evacuated, he said.

Two hazardous-materials teams from the Long Beach and L.A. County fire departments were called in to investigate the container, which was parked in a lot at the end of Pier T Avenue. The crews entered the container about 12:30 p.m. wearing protective suits, Hayes said.

Long Beach fire and police, port police, L.A. County sheriff's deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard all responded to the scene, Hayes said.

"Due to the nature of the threat, we're taking every precaution possible," Hayes said, adding that in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, port security must report and investigate "anything that could be a possible terrorist act or endanger port relations."

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com