Epstein Purchased 330 Gallons of Sulphuric Acid on Day FBI Opened Investigation, DOJ Files Show

Justice Department documents include a receipt and email exchanges showing a purchase of 330 gallons (six 55-gallon drums) of sulphuric acid for Jeffrey Epstein’s Little St. James island on June 12, 2018, the same day the FBI opened a federal trafficking investigation.

The order, for £4,373, itemized the acid alongside parts for the island’s reverse-osmosis water-treatment plant, noting materials for conductivity probes and a replacement pH cable.

Al Jazeera

The Daily Mail reports that the disclosure sparked social-media speculation the acid might have been used to destroy evidence or human remains.

However, the files also include older emails describing sulphuric acid as part of routine reverse-osmosis and water-treatment processes and state there is no evidence in the documents that the chemical was used for criminal purposes.

This single-item purchase has become a focal point for public attention as analysts continue to comb roughly three million pages released in late January.

The acid purchase is reported within a much larger DOJ disclosure.

Government releases on Dec. 19 and Jan. 30 included roughly three million pages, about 180,000 images and roughly 2,000 videos organized into datasets.

Al Jazeera

Officials characterized the Jan. 30 posting as completing a comprehensive review.

Al Jazeera summarized the scale of the Jan. 30 release.

Other outlets (Knewz, International Business Times, Moneycontrol) reported disputes between the DOJ's accounting of produced materials and survivors' groups who say far more files remain undisclosed.

That disagreement over how many pages still exist and what should be public has driven both public protests and congressional attention.

An Associated Press review of newly released records clarified what investigators could and could not substantiate.

“Here’s a brief summary: - US Congress members have been allowed to view millions of Jeffrey Epstein investigation documents without the Justice Department’s heavy redactions; they may take handwritten notes but not make electronic copies”

BBC

FBI and federal prosecutors concluded there is extensive evidence that Epstein repeatedly paid for and sexually abused underage girls.

However, officials repeatedly said they found insufficient evidence to prove a wider trafficking ring involving powerful clients.

Folha de S.Paulo, The Morning Voice (AP summary) and India Today report that agents and prosecutors were unable to corroborate many allegations that victims were directed to other men, even though some names appear in the files.

Forensic reviews cited in the reporting tended to indicate sexual contact by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell rather than by third parties.

The releases have drawn scrutiny for redaction failures and tightly restricted access.

An AP review — cited by The Daily Jagran — found that some DOJ redactions failed and that files improperly exposed sensitive information, including full bank and Social Security numbers and identifying photos.

BBC

The Daily Jagran says these errors could embarrass and endanger victims.

Lawmakers noted by Evrim Ağacı warn that reviewers have only limited, slow access, with files viewable only on DOJ machines in a secure room and long delays for appointments.

They also say many names remain redacted without a required privilege log.

The DOJ maintains redactions are meant to protect victims, a position reflected in Moneycontrol’s summary.

However, the combination of redaction errors and restricted access has intensified calls for congressional oversight.

Public and political reactions were immediate.

“ByTARYN KAUR PEDLER, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published:12:04 GMT, 10 February 2026|Updated:14:44 GMT, 10 February 2026 263 Viewcomments Documents within the Epstein files appear to show that 330 gallons of sulphuric acid were purchased for the paedophile's island on the day theFBIopened its investigation into the billionaire's trafficking charges”

dailymail.co.uk

Survivors organized by World Without Exploitation ran a widely reported Super Bowl-era ad urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to release remaining records.

dailymail.co.uk

Survivors and some lawmakers argue significant material remains sealed, while the DOJ and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche say the Jan. 30 posting completed its review.

Congressional oversight, planned depositions of Ghislaine Maxwell, and protests by advocates followed.

BBC and the-star.co.ke report Maxwell’s impending congressional appearance and the survivors’ demand that more documents be made public.

International Business Times and Knewz add that the presence of high-profile names in the files has polarized public reactions.

Outlets citing AP-based reviews underline that mentions do not equal proof of guilt.