Arrest for anthrax hoax

Police have made their first arrest in the saga of anthrax scares that have plagued New Zealand in the past few days.

Detective Superintendent Peter Marshall, the police officer in charge of biosecurity, said a 42-year-old Manawatu man was arrested yesterday and charged with wasting police time by sending an envelope with powder through the post.

Mr Marshall said an envelope containing a cheque and white powder burst on a letter-handling machine at the Manawatu Mail Centre on Friday night.

The powder, which turned out to be flour, contacted the hands and clothing of two postal workers.

"The incident caused a two-hour delay to mail handling and wasted many hours of postal officials' and police time."

Mr Marshall said the accused man was bailed and will appear in the Palmerston North District Court on Friday. If convicted, he faces penalties of three months in jail or a $2000 fine.

Mr Marshall said the arrest should serve as a warning to other would-be hoaxers and pranksters.

Meanwhile MAF biosecurity officials have confirmed all 13 anthrax tests completed so far in New Zealand have proven negative.