BONNERS FERRY — An unknown substance discovered in a white envelope received Friday, Jan. 30, prompted Columbia Bank to close for the remainder of the day. 

An investigation is ongoing and, as a result, little information has been released. 

Bonners Ferry police were notified of the incident and an officer responded, Bonners Ferry Police Chief Willie Cowell said. 

“We received a call that there was a suspicious envelope with a white substance in it that was opened at the bank,” Cowell said. “My officer went and confirmed it. Beyond that, we don’t know what the contents were.” 

Cowell said multiple federal agencies are investigating the incident. 

“Since it came through the mail, the U.S. Postal Service was contacted,” Cowell said. “They are conducting their own investigation. The FBI was also contacted because it’s a bank and they are conducting their investigation as well. We booked that substance into property and then turned it over to postal inspectors when they came up here.” 

The bank has since reopened. 

“In this day and age, you cannot be too careful,” Cowell said.