Police set up a perimeter around the federal courthouse in Tuscaloosa, Alabama after employees raised the alarm, blocking adjacent streets to vehicles and pedestrians.

However, an investigation “revealed the boxes contained what we have identified as a delivery order containing a Taco and Burrito Cravings Pack from Taco Bell,” police said.

“It had been customised to include an assortment of regular and Doritos Locos tacos, along with four beefy five-layer burritos,” they added.

Police said the tacos and burritos from the fast-food restaurant were “safely disposed of in the dumpster”.