Hazmat situation after needle laced with fentanyl falls from suspect’s pants

METHUEN, Mass. – It was a tense few moments inside the Methuen Police Department on Wednesday night.

As officers were searching a suspect, they found the deadly drug, fentanyl, taped to his genital area, and that put everyone in immediate danger.

Police say a needle fell from pants of Kyle Dennis, who was wanted for three warrants.

“While he ripped it open, the powder got all over the cell area and got onto the officer,” said Methuen Police Capt. Gregory Gallant.

EXCLUSIVE: An officer & a suspect were rushed to an area hospital after being exposed to a potentially deadly drug. Sources say, the suspect had possibly a bag of fentanyl taped to his genital area, & it popped open. Story at 10p @boston25 pic.twitter.com/MB4eQswUTx

— Malini Basu (@WFXTMalini) May 9, 2019

“The officer was completely covered with a white powder. During the pat frisk, he was conducting the frisk, and the subject ripped open the bag, and it dispersed,” Gallant said.

The bag popped open and the cell was filled with the powder, putting the suspect and the two officers in immediate danger.

“It’s something we are concerned about. As far as exposure to fentanyl and carfentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 times more toxic than heroin,” Gallant said.

The officers and the suspect were rushed to the hospital, leaving the holding cell area a hazmat scene.

“Completely covered the cell area with a white powder. We had to shut down the cell area,” Gallant said.

Police say Dennis had fentanyl on him for which he was charged. The officer is OK.

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