Spokane Valley Man Arrested For Allegedly Making Biological Weapon
June 19, 2002
By Michelle Esteban
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SPOKANE - Police in Spokane have arrested a man for allegedly making biological weapons in his basement.
Investigators believe he was brewing a poison twice as deadly as cobra venom.
FBI agents had been watching a Spokane Valley home for nearly a year, but they arrested 47-year-old Kennth Olsen Wednesday - a man they say was making ricin -- a biological weapon -- at his home.
"Ricin is a toxic substance that is highly lethal," said FBI agent Norm Brown.
Ricin is made from the beans of the castor plant. It's considered one of the most poisonous substances in nature.
One milligram can kill an adult.
"Risin is extracted from castor beans, they're used to make castor oil and the byproduct or what's left over is ricin, which is toxic." Said Seattle Fire Lt. Harold Webb . He says the castor plant is widely available and ricin is easy to produce.
A large amount of it can make a weapon of mass destruction. It's made the top 10 watch list of deadly toxins in the event of a biological attack on our city.
Bio terrorist experts say this arrest was an isolated case that poses no threat to residents in Spokane, or any city in the state.
Although investigators don't know what Olsen's intent was, they say there is no sign this case is connected to terrorists.
"It's a serious matter although we don't believe public any reason to alarm," said Agent Brown.
He says the investigation began last August -- obviously before the Sept. 11 attacks, and that's part of what delayed the case.
"The delay...September 11th, 2001, but the biggest problem was to verify the substance we had was ricin," he said.
Olsen was in his car with his wife when he was arrested without incident. Neighbors say he seemed like a normal guy with a family who was a bit on the private side. Now, they're searching his car, home and job site.