Drug may be to blame for Albany County inmate’s death

The sheriff’s department now say a dark gray powder called “grey death” was found in a sock he was wearing. Investigators say the drug has been linked to a number of lethal overdoses in the south.

The drug is now headed to the state police lab for further testing. An autopsy to confirm and exact cause of death is scheduled for Monday.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says “grey death” is a mixture of potent drugs — some maybe modified over in China and sent back to the United States.

“We took it back to the station and tested it — at which time it gave us a cocktail for death. It was heroin, fentanyl, had a couple other medications in it. Over the counter medications in it, some prescribed medications for blood pressure. It’s like they took everything in there and pushed it out on the street,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.

He says the autopsy for an official cause of death, and further testing won’t happen until Monday.

However, his office already has launched an investigation to find out how the drugs were smuggled in by another inmate — a visitor or even staff. None ruled out. Apple says a body scanner is hopefully coming soon.

“We have funds set aside to purchase one. We’re just waiting for the Department of Health to establish regulations and we will purchase immediately and that will make our fails safer,” said Apple.

Right now, the worry is that Narcan will not reverse the effects.

“You can absorb the powder in your nasal passages immediately and probably overdose. We have Narcan in jail, we’re going to expand the Narcan. We made that decision [Saturday] afternoon.”

Authorities urge the public to contact them immediately if they think they come across the drug.

“Don’t get near it, don’t try and clean it up, nothing to that effect. Stay away from it,” warned Apple.