(CBS/AP) Four suspected members of a Georgia militia were arrested by federal agents Tuesday for plotting to use a poison, ricin, to attack federal law officers.
What’s ricin?
Besides being one of “Breaking Bad” protagonist Walter White’s weapons of choice, it’s a poison found naturally in castor beans, and is made from waste leftovers after processing the beans. It can be used in powder, mist, a pellet, or can be dissolved in liquid.
Ricin seeps into the body’s cells of an exposed person, preventing them from making necessary proteins. Without the proteins, the cells die, eventually resulting in death.
Court documents show the men told others they intended to model their actions after the online novel “Absolved,” which involves small groups of citizens attacking U.S. officials.
The men also tried to obtain an explosive device, besides seeking out the complex formula to produce the potentially lethal biological toxin.
Prosecutors say one of the men, 68-year-old Samuel Crump, discussed making 10 pounds of ricin and dispersing it in Atlanta and other cities. He suggested it can be blown out of a car speeding down an interstate highway. Another man Ray Adams, 65, is accused of showing an informant the formula to make ricin and identifying ways to obtain the ingredients.
Symptoms of ricin inhalation include difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, heavy sweating, and fluid buildup in the lungs. Ingesting ricin can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures, and hallucinations. Death can occur from 36 hours to 72 hours following exposure.
Been poisoned with ricin? Doctors will try to get the poison out of your body as soon as possible with help of vitamins and fluids, because there is no antidote.
Got questions about ricin poisoning? The CDC has answers.
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