A grand jury in the US has indicted a man amid allegations he posed as a researcher to acquire a deadly toxin found in pufferfish.

In a joint statement, US attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and FBI agent Robert Grant announced that Edward Bachner IV had been indicted on ten counts; five of acquiring Tetrodotoxin to use as a weapon and five of possessing Tetrodotoxin “in a quantity that was not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose” (press release pdf, indictment pdf).

From the Chicago Tribune:

Authorities said Bachner, posing as a researcher, ordered the toxin from a California company since 2006 — enough to kill 100 people. Another order from a New Jersey company was intercepted by the FBI, which set up an undercover delivery to Bachner, authorities said.

The Daily Herald says Bachner is alleged to have tried to buy 98 milligrams of the toxin from the unnamed New Jersey company. Just one milligram of the toxin is enough to kill (according to the University of Bristol’s Molecule of the Month page). This can cause problems for devotees of pufferfish sushi and sunfish steaks, although no-one to our knowledge has tried to eat another source: the blue-ringed octopus.

The Herald also says Bachner told the FBI he was considering suicide “or some other things” but adds the feds believe he was seeking the murder of his wife.

The district attorney’s office says Bachner faces life in prison if convicted of acquiring Tetrodotoxin for use as a weapon; 10 years if convicted of possession of an unjustified amount of the toxin and a fine of up to $2,500,000 (press release pdf).

More coverage

LITH man indicted in fish toxin case – Northwest Herald

Lake in the Hills man indicted over puffer fish toxin – Sun-Times News Group

Image: NOAA