A heroin-fentanyl cloud sickened 11 cops with a SWAT team while raiding an apartment in Hartford, Connecticut, after flash grenades "aerosolized" some of the powdered drugs sitting on a table.
The Hartford Police SWAT team executed a search warrant Tuesday night at an apartment across from Hartford High School and set off flash grenades, deputy chief Brian Foley told WVIT-TV.
"They're basically loud explosions that completely stun anyone in the apartment," Foley said. "Unfortunately, when those went off it's believed that aerosolized some of the powders on the table. That powder went airborne and some of the SWAT team members were breathing it in while trying to secure three suspects."
The officers were transported to St. Francis Hospital after feeling light-headed and nauseated. They developed headaches and sore throats and started vomiting.
The officers were able to return to work on Wednesday after being treated, police told the Hartford Courant.
"This is something that we train for," said Foley. "Hartford police SWAT team probably does 100 to 150 entries a year. Without a doubt, they are the most experienced team in the state. They practice this, we train for this, so it's something expected to encounter. We did last night."
Foley about 50,000 bags of heroin were confiscated at the apartment with an estimated street value of $150,000 to $250,000.
"As you can see, it was packaged and ready to hit the streets," Foley said. "Within hours it would be out and distributed to the dealers."
Also found were three fentanyl patches, scales and other items used in the processing and packaging of heroin, and two handguns.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has warned police departments that the effects of the drug include disorientation, coughing, sedation, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
Ronald Perez, 28, Byron Rivera, 26, and Marcus Tyson, 30, all from Hartford, were charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin, according to U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years.