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Powder in envelope just crushed pain pill

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Mar 12, 2010 at 9:59 AM MST

Story Updated: Mar 12, 2010 at 9:59 AM MST

HELENA - Helena police say the white powder in an envelope that was mailed to the Department of Labor was a pain relief tablet that likely accidentally fell into the envelope before a Butte woman mailed some paperwork to the state.

Assistant Police Chief Dave Jeseritz says the possible "triggering device" was a lollipop stick.

When the envelope was opened Tuesday and the powder was released, three state workers and a Helena police officer were isolated for several hours while emergency response workers performed an initial test on the substance that ruled it out as a threat to safety.

Jeseritz says it is suspected that the pill and the lollipop stick fell into the envelope as the woman carried it around in her purse for about a week before mailing it. No charges will be filed.

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