Powder sparks investigation

Police have closed a small section of Albert St in Downtown Auckland after an employee of a company domiciled in the Quay Towers opened a package containing white powder, just before 11am.

Police Specialist Search Group and the NZ Fire Service are in attendance at the Customs St West address and lower Albert St - between Quay and Customs Sts - has been closed to traffic, though pedestrians are able to use the footpath.

Three people who worked in the building have been decontaminated as a precautionary measure and Fire Service staff are, according to the correct procedures, being decontaminated.

Auckland City CIB is in charge of investigating the origins of the package which will be sent to Wellington for testing to determine what the powder is.

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