Fentanyl Exposure At Woodlawn Precinct Sends 3 To Hospital: BCPD

WOODLAWN, MD — The Woodlawn precinct was evacuated overnight due to fentanyl exposure, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. Hazardous materials personnel responded to the scene, and police said three officers were taken to the hospital from exposure to the drug. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be absorbed through the skin.

Police said the exposure stemmed from a traffic stop where two people were arrested and narcotics were recovered Thursday night.

After 11 p.m., the officers returned to the Woodlawn precinct in the 6400 block of Windsor Mill Road to continue with arrest procedures when police said the arresting officer and a second officer became ill after finding a white powdered substance.

Other officers at the precinct provided immediate medical attention and so did the Baltimore County Fire Department, authorities reported.

Later, police said, a third officer became ill.

The three officers were treated and released from a local hospital, authorities reported Friday morning.

The hazardous materials team responded to the Woodlawn precinct and confirmed that the substance the officers had been exposed to was fentanyl.

The precinct was evacuated, and officials reported Friday morning that it was expected.

When all was said and done, the precinct was evacuated for 12 hours so that crews could clear any residual fentanyl from the scene, according to WBAL Radio. Officer Jen Peach, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Police Department, told the radio station that those who became sickened experienced flu-like symptoms and did not have direct contact with the drug. They were reportedly treated at Sinai Hospital.

See Also: Fentanyl Exposure In Harford Changes Approach To Overdoses

Photo courtesy of the Baltimore County Police Department.

This article has been updated.