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'Ricin' found in Vegas motel room Ricin found in Vegas motel room
(about 4 hours later)
A deadly toxin thought to contain ricin has been discovered at a motel in Las Vegas, police say. A man is in critical condition after staying in a Las Vegas motel room where the deadly toxin ricin was found, police say.
A man had brought the substance to the manager of the Extended Stay America Motel saying he had found it in his room, according to authorities. Seven other people were taken to hospital but later released, after several vials of ricin were found at the Extended Stay America Motel.
They do not believe that the incident is related to terrorism. Authorities say they do not believe the incident is related to terrorism.
Three motel employees and one other person - all said to be in good condition - were quarantined and decontaminated, then taken to hospital. The man in critical condition was taken to hospital on 14 February after complaining of breathing problems.
Three police officers were also taken to hospital. Police said the man was unconscious and they had not been able to interview him.
Two preliminary tests had shown the substance to contain ricin, police officer Ramon Denby said. Castor beans
They only began investigating the incident on Thursday after another man went to retrieve his belongings and found the vials, police said.
Castor beans, which can be used to make ricin, were also found in the room.
Three motel employees, three police officers and one other person were decontaminated and taken to hospital as a precaution.
The room where the substance was found has been isolated and the area cordoned off by police.The room where the substance was found has been isolated and the area cordoned off by police.
The FBI are helping local police with the investigation. Ricin is highly toxic and even small amounts can be fatal if inhaled, ingested, or injected.
Ricin is highly lethal, and can be fatal if inhaled, ingested, or injected. It can be extracted from castor beans. A dose the size of a pin head could be enough to kill an adult, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.