Portsmouth Police Department temporarily quarantined after a possible fentanyl exposure

By Josh Faiola 

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PORTSMOUTH, R.I (WLNE) – A possible fentanyl exposure disoriented and sickened a Portsmouth police officer and two fire-fighters on Sunday. 

Sunday, March 10th, at 1:05 p.m, Portsmouth police responded to a residence on East Main road for a reported overdose. 

An officer observed a male party in distress upon arrival, and rendered medical aid until members of the Portsmouth Fire Department could respond. 

The male party was taken to a hospital for treatment. 

According to police, the officer on scene was alerted to a plastic bag containing a white, powdery substance in the trash.  The officer seized the substance and brought it back to the Portsmouth Police Department; the substance was believed to be fentanyl. 

A half hour later, the officer started to experience shortness of breath, sweating and disorientation. 

Police say it was at that time Portsmouth Fire responded to tend to the officer due to the circumstances. 

Two fire-fighters also became exposed and began experience similar medical issues. 

Both fire-fighters and the officer were taken to a nearby hospital for the exposure. 

The department was temporarily quarantined until the building was cleaned and the exposure had subsided. 

The officer returned to full duty Monday morning. 

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019