Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
FBI Pond Draining Continues
Aired June 10, 2003 - 14:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So, is there something sinister at the bottom of the pond? FBI investigators say it could be a week or more before all the water is drained out of a pond near Frederick, Maryland. Once done, they hope to find clues to the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people.
CNN's Patty Davis is there -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, the pond that they are draining is here in Frederick Municipal Forest just down this road behind me, and we are presented from showing you on the ground exactly what is going on.
There's an FBI roadblock, as you can see. But we can show you some pictures from the air that were shot by helicopter. A contractor has been hired by the FBI to drain the pond, and the FBI is looking for evidence related to the anthrax investigation, clothing perhaps, lab equipment.
Now, one law enforcement source tells CNN that they have found nothing of interest so far today. They are being very careful in this pumping operation, only one foot of water being drained every single day. That according to Frederick, Maryland's mayor, who says that protecting the ecological balance of the pond and the surrounding ponds and areas is a priority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They have a pump and they are removing the water from the top level, rather than the bottom, so it does not disturb the -- any aquatic life that might be there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now trucks have been coming in and out of here all day bringing in pumps, bringing in some more heavy equipment. Investigators have been to this particular pond before, several times, in fact. Last December they got a tip and found, according to sources, a large plastic enclosed container with two openings in the side similar to what is used to limit exposure when you're doing a scientific test. They also found vials in the pond.
Now, testing on those things continues to this day. The question now, is there anything else to be found in this pond? They are going to drain it to the bottom, they are going to move the fish to another pond and hopefully look through the muddy bottom. It's very murky. There is going to be a lot of muck that they will have to go through. Is there anything else that they can possibly find? They do plan to get to the bottom of it, though, if that is the bottom of this pond -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Patty, do we know if they are wearing any sort of protective gear with the prospect that they might encounter anthrax?
DAVIS: Well, we have not been able to get close enough, actually, to take a look as to whether they are wearing protective gear, but I can tell that the Frederick mayor -- the Frederick mayor said today that the environmental agencies have tested this water time and time again and they have found no evidence of anthrax. So as far as anthrax is concerned, there's not a danger according to her -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: CNN's Patty Davis in Frederick, Maryland. Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 10, 2003 - 14:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So, is there something sinister at the bottom of the pond? FBI investigators say it could be a week or more before all the water is drained out of a pond near Frederick, Maryland. Once done, they hope to find clues to the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people.
CNN's Patty Davis is there -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, the pond that they are draining is here in Frederick Municipal Forest just down this road behind me, and we are presented from showing you on the ground exactly what is going on.
There's an FBI roadblock, as you can see. But we can show you some pictures from the air that were shot by helicopter. A contractor has been hired by the FBI to drain the pond, and the FBI is looking for evidence related to the anthrax investigation, clothing perhaps, lab equipment.
Now, one law enforcement source tells CNN that they have found nothing of interest so far today. They are being very careful in this pumping operation, only one foot of water being drained every single day. That according to Frederick, Maryland's mayor, who says that protecting the ecological balance of the pond and the surrounding ponds and areas is a priority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They have a pump and they are removing the water from the top level, rather than the bottom, so it does not disturb the -- any aquatic life that might be there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now trucks have been coming in and out of here all day bringing in pumps, bringing in some more heavy equipment. Investigators have been to this particular pond before, several times, in fact. Last December they got a tip and found, according to sources, a large plastic enclosed container with two openings in the side similar to what is used to limit exposure when you're doing a scientific test. They also found vials in the pond.
Now, testing on those things continues to this day. The question now, is there anything else to be found in this pond? They are going to drain it to the bottom, they are going to move the fish to another pond and hopefully look through the muddy bottom. It's very murky. There is going to be a lot of muck that they will have to go through. Is there anything else that they can possibly find? They do plan to get to the bottom of it, though, if that is the bottom of this pond -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Patty, do we know if they are wearing any sort of protective gear with the prospect that they might encounter anthrax?
DAVIS: Well, we have not been able to get close enough, actually, to take a look as to whether they are wearing protective gear, but I can tell that the Frederick mayor -- the Frederick mayor said today that the environmental agencies have tested this water time and time again and they have found no evidence of anthrax. So as far as anthrax is concerned, there's not a danger according to her -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: CNN's Patty Davis in Frederick, Maryland. Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
