11 Officers Treated For Fentanyl Exposure In Camden County Drug Raids: Prosecutor

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Fentanyl exposure sent 11 police officers to the hospital during an investigation in Camden County on Thursday, and officials say they charged five men with narcotics offenses.

After a two-month-long investigation, investigators executed search warrants at the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue in Collingswood and at a residence on Eden Hollow Lane in Sicklerville, officials said.

Five Camden County men have been charged with possession and manufacturing of fentanyl and cocaine and more charges are coming for each defendant, said prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay.

All 11 officers at the scene were treated by paramedics for exposure to fentanyl, and then transported to Cooper University Medical Center, according to a joint news release from MacAulay, Collingswood Police Chief Kevin Carey, Winslow Township Police Chief Donald Lemons, and Pennsauken Acting Police Chief Phillip Olivo.

All had been released from the hospital as of Friday afternoon, officials said.

“First and foremost, we are very thankful that all of the officers who were exposed to fentanyl have recovered, and they are all healthy and safe," MacAulay said. "This is just one of the many dangers faced by the men and women of law enforcement each and every day as they work tirelessly to protect our communities from the proliferation of fentanyl and the opioid epidemic. We are very grateful for their service. Together we can overcome this epidemic."

MacAulay's office said 49-year-old Ali Coles of Sicklerville "was actively trying to destroy evidence" when police encountered him.

Officers recovered about $40,000 in cash, as well as more than 1,000 bags of fentanyl and five ounces of loose fentanyl in the searches, MacAulay said. The search warrant also yielded one semi-automatic handgun, various drug paraphernalia, and four vehicles according to officials.

Coles was charged with first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) manufacturing facility and third-degree possession of CDS, officials said.

The other people arrested are 33-year-old Adam Brackenridge of Camden, 45-year-old Teronne Perry of Sicklerville, 40-year-old Donnell Horne of Camden, and 35-year-old Stephon Thomas of Camden. These men are accused of the same crimes as Coles, said officials.

All five people were arrested Jan. 12 and taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility, officials said.