Bird Parts, Beans, Shells Found In Suspicious Package

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — An eastbound State Road 54 lane in the New Port Richey area that was closed after the discovery of a suspicious package late Friday morning has reopened to traffic, authorities say.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the package was found just before noon near the BB&T Bank at 9048 State Road 54. The discovery prompted the closing of one State Road 54 lane at Little Road while the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office came out to inspect the package.

According to Pasco Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Doll, Hillsborough's bomb squad took X-rays of the package that caused the commotion. It was determined not to be explosive in nature.

"Upon further examination, the tightly packed contents included parts of birds, shells, various beans, vegetation and other items," Doll wrote in an email to media. "These artifacts are related to some religious practices."

Further information about the package and who might have left it behind is not yet available.

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