2 Deputies Exposed To Fentanyl Found In Motel Room

HOUSTON — Two Harris County Sheriff’s deputies are recovering in an area hospital after they were exposed to the narcotic fentanyl Wednesday night. The incident happened in northeast Houston at an Extended Stay America motel, located in the 1500 block of Sam Houston Parkway.

Lt. Chris Ecke with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said the deputies were called to the area at about 9 p.m. after a staff cleaning crew found what appeared to be narcotics, and a counterfeit cash operation inside one of the rooms.

Ecke said the two deputies went inside the room, and confiscated the drugs from the room as evidence, and took the narcotics to the patrol units.

“They both became lightheaded and overheated, and immediately administered Narcan nasal spray to themselves, and called for medical personnel,” Ecke said.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine.

The deputies were taken to an area hospital and are listed in stable condition, Ecke said. Both deputies were later released.

Police called out a Hazmat team who found traces of fentanyl inside the motel room, and in the police patrol car where the narcotics were placed.

Investigators said none of the motel cleaning crew or motel guests were exposed to the narcotic.

Deputies detained three people found hiding in a nearby motel room. Charges have not been filed. The incident in under investigation.

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