DETROIT -- Authorities said that documents referring to anthrax vaccine-maker Bioport Inc. were found in the possession of the al-Qaida in Kabul, Afghanistan, Local 4 reported Wednesday.

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Two Pakistani scientists were arrested in Kabul and had the documents in their possession, according to Local 4.

The documents came from the U.S. Department of Defense, but were not classified. They also did not contain any information on making the vaccine or the Lansing-based company's plant operations, according to the station's report.

BioPort produces a variety of vaccines for government and commercial use. But repeated failures to meet Food and Drug Administration guidelines have prevented the company from making the anthrax vaccine for two years, Local First News reported. The firm failed inspections in 1999 and last year.

The document contained highlighted items and stars were scribbled across the top of one page.

BioPort spokeswoman Kim Brennen Root told Local 4 that the discovery supports the notion that the al-Qaida and the Taliban have been studying biological warfare and protecting against weapons of mass destruction.

Root said that the document was a report on the environmental impact of renovations to the Lansing plant, not a "how-to" manual on making the vaccine. She also said the discovery supports the company's decision to tighten security following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Federal authorities are expected to visit BioPort in two weeks for another inspection, Local 4 reported. If it passes, the plant could resume anthrax vaccine production. It is the only facility in the nation that produces the vaccine.