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Helena police have determined that a suspicious white powder mailed to the Department of Labor earlier this week was a crushed pain relief tablet that accidentally fell into the envelope and what was believed to be a trigger device was actually a lollipop stick.

Police have wrapped up their investigation into white powder that was mailed to the Department of Labor earlier this week.

The Lewis and Clark County Attorney's office will not be pressing any charges against the Butte man who mailed the envelope. Helena Police report the man received a form from the Department of Labor, filled it out, stuck it in the envelope unsealed and then gave it to his wife to mail. The letter then remained in her purse for several days and a white tablet fell into the envelope.

Police believe through the mail process the tablet was crushed.

They say the alleged trigger device was actually a lollipop stick that also fell into the envelope.

On Tuesday morning, reports of the suspicious substance sparked a partial evacuation at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Butte police say an investigation into a suspicious substance that caused a partial evacuation of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry building is in hands of Helena officials.

An envelope was received at the Department of Labor & Industry building mid-morning Tuesday. When it was opened, a white powder was released, according to officials.

The suspicious substance that caused a partial evacuation of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry building in Helena is not harmful and posed no danger to occupants, authorities are reporting.

Initial tests of the substance revealed that it is not dangerous, although further testing will be done to determine exactly what it is.

Authorities also announced that the postmark on the envelope containing the substance is from Butte, and that they have a "person of interest" from the Butte area that they plan to contact.

Butte officials provided few details on the incident Wednesday morning, saying on that the incident is being handled by Helena authorities.

HELENA - Three employees of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and one capitol police officer were quarantined after exposure to a suspicious powder on Tuesday morning.

An envelope was received at DLI mid-morning on Tuesday, and when it was opened, a white powder was released, according to officials.

The third floor of the DLI building was evacuated, and all workers on that floor have been relocated to other areas. Staff members are being permitted to leave, but only authorized personnel are permitted entry to the building.

Shortly after noon, HAZMAT team members suited up in order to transport the suspicious substance to the state lab across the street from the DLI building.

(first report)

HELENA - Reports of a suspicious substance at the Montana Department of Labor & Industry sparked an evacuation on Tuesday morning in Helena.

Emergency response crews, including firefighters, a hazardous materials team, and police, responded quickly and are still investigating the situation. There are no reports of illness or injury at this time.

We have a reporter on the scene and will bring you more information as it becomes available.

It was just two months ago that another downtown Helena building was evacuated; in that instance, city workers were re-lining sewer pipes near the Power Building with a styrene solution and the fumes from that process were filling the building, causing several people to become ill.