Florida

Officials Investigate Whether Suspicious Packages Went Through Miami Mail Facility

Investigators looking into whether earlier suspicious packages also went through South Florida facility

A suspicious package intercepted at a U.S. Postal Service facility in Opa-locka Friday morning was addressed to New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, as authorities continue to investigate whether other suspicious items sent to high-profile politicians and others in recent days went through the same facility.

The news came as authorities arrested a 56-year-old South Florida man, Cesar Sayoc Jr., and charged him with federal crimes for the mail scare.

The package found Friday was similar to the others sent to other politicians, with the return address listed as the Sunrise office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, officials said.

A senior law enforcement official told NBC News on Thursday that investigators are looking into whether some of those earlier packages containing possible explosives came through the Royal Palm Processing and Distribution Center, located off of Red Road.

Miami-Dade Police officials said late Thursday that their bomb squad and K-9 unit were on scene looking for any evidence at the request of federal authorities.

"This assistance is as a precautionary measure. We cannot provide additional information at this time due to the active nature of this federal investigation," MDPD said in a statement.

Wasserman Shultz addressed the threats at a campaign event for Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum Thursday. Her name was labeled on the return address of 10 suspicious packages discovered earlier this week.

"There will always be those who use distractions, threats and even violence to accomplish their ends,” said Shultz.

The Opa-locka facility is South Florida’s largest mail processing center.

Contact Us