Several employees of the D.C. jail were sickened Thursday after an envelope containing a synthetic drug was discovered, officials say.
Screeners checking packages reported feeling sick. Seven people were taken to the hospital.
The fire department responded to the Correctional Treatment Facility on the 1900 block of E Street SE Thursday morning. The facility is part of the D.C. jail complex.
An envelope they handled was found to have contained synthetic cannabinoid, a spokesperson for D.C. Fire and EMS said Thursday night.
Earlier Thursday, Deputy Fire Chief John Donnelly said the drug in the envelope was fentanyl, a powerful narcotic.
Information was not available immediately on to whom the envelope was addressed.
Symptoms of contact with the drug include trouble breathing and drowsiness, Donnelly said.
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Several Marines were rushed to a hospital last month after a suspicious powder was mailed to Joint Base Fort Myer-Henderson Hall. The investigation is ongoing.
