updated: 2:26 p.m Police identify the substance as cocaine.
The Rhode Island HAZMAT team is currently investigating a suspicious package that was reported by the Chanler Hotel around 11 a.m. Friday morning.
"It is an unknown substance," said Newport Lieutenant William Fitzgerald. He said a package was sent to the hotel that contained a powdery substance.
The HAZMAT team arrived at 12:45 p.m. from East Providence. The building is closed and the area has been blocked off.
Patch will provide details as they are made available.
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