THOMASVILLE — Everything was unexpected about a mysterious parcel discovered Tuesday night at a Thomas County residence.

The package was unexpected, along with the site of delivery, said Mike Goelz, assistant special agent in charge of Georgia Bureau of Investigation headquarters at Decatur.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we were asked to clear it,” Goelz said.

The shoebox-size package was delivered by UPS to the home of a local political party official, said Capt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.

The recipient was not familiar with the return address — Washington Intelligence Bureau — and notified the sheriff’s office.

“It was fairly heavy for its size. That was a concern,” Watkins said. “Opening it was the question.”

Law enforcement officers thought that because the package was handled by UPS, it probably was safe.

The GBI bomb tech contacted by the sheriff’s office X-rayed the package, but contents could not be determined.

“He used an explosive device to neutralize it,” Watkins said.

The package exploded and revealed pamphlets the recipient recalled ordering.

“The return address confused him,” Watkins said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820