Ricin found in Las Vegas motel room

Authorities in Las Vegas confirmed that the deadly toxin ricin was found in a motel room most recently occupied by a man who has been in critical condition with breathing problems at a hospital for more than two weeks.

Police said there was no apparent link to terrorist activity, and no indication of any spread of the deadly substance beyond the several vials of powder found in a plastic bag in the man’s room. But what the ricin was doing there remained a mystery, and authorities have been unable to talk with the man in the hospital.

Tests by police homeland security officers, the Nevada National Guard and a laboratory in Las Vegas came back positive for ricin, authorities said. A cleanup of the motel has been completed, officials said.