DATE=2/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227019
TITLE=F-B-I BIO SUBSTANCE ARRESTS (L) (CQ)
BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN
DATELINE=LOS ANGELES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

      ///  FIXES END OF 1ST PARA --  THURSDAY  MORNING ///

INTRO:  POLICE HAVE ARRESTED TWO MEN IN THE WESTERN U-S STATE OF 
NEVADA ON CHARGES OF POSSESSING A BIOLOGICAL AGENT.  AS MIKE 
O'SULLIVAN REPORTS, OFFICIALS BELIEVE -- BUT  HAVE NOT CONFIRMED 
-- THE SUBSTANCE IS ANTHRAX, A DANGEROUS BACTERIAL AGENT THAT IS 
USED IN CHEMICAL WARFARE.

TEXT:  THE TWO MEN -- LARRY WAYNE HARRIS OF LANCASTER, OHIO, AND 
WILLIAM LEAVITT, JUNIOR, A PART-TIME RESIDENT OF LAS VEGAS, WERE 
ARRESTED WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN A JOINT OPERATION BY THE FEDERAL 
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS -- 
WITH ASSISTANCE FROM BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS EXPERTS FROM THE U-S ARMY
AND AIR FORCE.  BOBBY SILLER, AN AGENT OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 
INVESTIGATION OR F-B-I,  ANNOUNCED THE ARRESTS THURSDAY MORNING.

                         /// SILLER ACT ///

         IT WAS SUSPECTED THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE IN 
         POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL, ANTHRAX.

                           /// END ACT ///

MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY ANTHRAX IS DANGEROUS TO BOTH ANIMALS AND 
HUMANS.

F-B-I AGENT BOBBY SILLER SAYS INVESTIGATORS TOOK MEASURES TO 
PREVENT LEAKAGE OF THE MATERIAL, SEALING OFF THE VEHICLE THE MEN 
WERE DRIVING IN PLASTIC. 

                          /// SILLER ACT ///

         RIGHT NOW I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF 
         ANY CONTAMINATION ANYWHERE IN THIS COMMUNITY AS A RESULT
         OF THIS INVESTIGATION.  AGAIN, OUR PRIMARY CONCERN ALL 
         THE TIME WAS THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.       

                           /// END ACT ///

THE F-B-I SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO MEN WERE POSSIBLY ON THEIR WAY 
TO A MEDICAL CENTER IN THE LAS VEGAS SUBURB OF HENDERSON TO  TEST
THE CHEMICAL AGENT.  

F-B-I AGENT BOBBY SILLER SAID THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHAT THE 
TARGET MIGHT HAVE BEEN, AND HE HAS NO INFORMATION ON A POSSIBLE 
MOTIVE.  ONE OF THE MEN, LARRY WAYNE HARRIS, IS  ON PROBATION 
FROM AN EARLIER CASE FOR RECEIVING A MAIL ORDER SHIPMENT OF THE 
BUBONIC PLAGUE GERM.   (SIGNED)

NEB/MOS/WDC/PLM/WTW

19-Feb-98 4:49 PM EST (2149 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.