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A letter that was delivered to a home on Stage Road in Carthage contained a white powder or unknown origin. Upon opening the package Monday evening, the residents immediately took the packet to the Carthage Police Station on 15-501.

Officials took the substance and placed it in a Ziploc bag and quarantined an area adjacent to the station. The residence was likewise quarantined.

State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) officials and a regional response hazmat team from Fayetteville were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, a Hazardous Materials Response Team (hazmat) consisting of three officers donned protective suits complete with self-contained oxygen and entered the quarantined area, examining the package both visually and with various testing instruments.

As of Monday evening, officials on site had no additional information other than the substance was being tested. Officials stressed that there was no danger to the public at large as both areas were effectively contained.

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Also, as of right now, this appears to be an isolated incident; however, the investigation is in its very early stage.

Officials did stress that if you receive a suspicious package to please not remove the package but call 911 so appropriate personnel can respond.

The two residents of the home gave several articles of their clothing to officials to be tested.

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The SBI will be the lead agency in the investigation. In addition to the SBI and hazmat team, Moore County Sheriff, EMS, Carthage Fire & Rescue, Moore County Public Safety, and Carthage Police also responded to the incident.

This is an ongoing story that will be updated as more information become available. 

To read updated story, please click on link below.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Local News/Government Reporter Chris Prentice.

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