Syracuse, N.Y. - Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office reports that 6 sheriff’s deputies were transported to the hospital this afternoon after being exposed to a powdery substance.
The deputies were working in the booking section of the Justice Center and were processing an inmate, who was brought in by officers from the Syracuse Police Department, when a significant amount of white powdery substance was released by the inmate which became airborne.
The deputies immediately became ill and called for assistance. Additional deputies responded and were also exposed to the substance. Hazmat protocols were initiated and the Syracuse Fire Department along with the Hazmat Team was dispatched.
The six deputies were all transported to Upstate University Hospital and are currently being treated. Preliminary tests of the powdery substance was identified as possibly PCP (Phencyclidine) also known as “Angel Dust.”
The inmate, who was brought in on a warrant, will be facing additional charges by the Syracuse Police Department.