Packages with "potential explosive devices" addressed to Clinton, Obama found

A "suspicious" package believed to be containing an explosive device was found in the vicinity of Clinton residence in Chappaqua in New York on Wednesday morning (local time).

The official Twitter account of FBI New York stated, "We are aware of a suspicious package found in the vicinity of the Clinton residence in Chappaqua, NY, and our JTTF has engaged with our federal, state and local partners to investigate. As this is an on-going investigation, we will have no further comment at this time."

Meanwhile, the US Secret Service tweeted that it had intercepted two suspicious packages addressed to the residences of former US President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The Secret Service released a statement which mentioned, "Late on October 23, 2018, the Secret Service recovered a single package addressed to Former First Lady Hillary Clinton in Westchester County, New York. Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of Former President Barack Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, DC."

The statement further claimed that the packages were immediately identified by the Secret Service and "appropriately handled". "The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such. Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them," the release stated.

A "full scope criminal investigation" has been initiated by the Secret Services to "determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible."

It is unclear whether the finding of a bomb near the Clinton's residence and the two packages intercepted by the US Secret Service are separate incidents or interconnected.

A law enforcement official told The New York Times that the explosive found near the Clinton's house was similar to a device found at billionaire George Soros' home on Monday.

The motive behind either of the incidents is unclear, as investigators are on the scene near the Clinton's residence. There has been no claim of responsibility until now for either.

More information is awaited on this developing story.