Five female New Jersey mall employees were found overdosing on fentanyl inside the shopping center’s parking garage, police said.
The women, who were not named, were able to be revived with CPR and Narcan as they overdosed on the dangerous drug in the lower level of the parking garage at the Shops at Riverside in Hackensack around 5:30 p.m, according to the New York Post.
Four Of The Five Women Were Taken To Hospital For Treatment, All Worked At Shopping Mall
Four of the five women were rushed to a nearby hospital, however their conditions remain unclear as of Friday. The fifth woman refused treatment at the scene, per authorities.
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All five are between 29 to 41-years-old, Fox 5 reports.
Authorities said they believe the women – all of whom work at the shopping mall, ingested the deadly opioid fentanyl,
#NEWS: 5 mall workers — all females — rushed to hospital after overdosing on fentanyl in parking garage in New Jersey pic.twitter.com/HsXkD6iXBq
— 44vibe News (@44vibeTV) March 17, 2023
“I want to assure the community that we are already in the process of thoroughly investigating this matter to find the source of this dangerous substance, and will do everything within our power to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” Hackensack Police Department Officer in Charge Capt. Michael Antista said.
Authorities Investigating “Source Of This Dangerous Substance” And Threaten To Arrest Victims’ Dealers
He added: “I want to thank the great men and women of the Hackensack Police Department for their swift response and once again proving their expertise in times of crisis.”
Fentanyl is usually laced with other drugs, namely heroin, which offers users a stronger high. But even those with high tolerances often fall victim and die from the drug.
RELATED: Man Sets Clothing On Fire At New Jersey Walmart In An Effort To Distract Workers And Steal A TV, Police Say
In this picture is enough Fentanyl to kill an Adult. Now ya know! pic.twitter.com/iraJr9jd7z
— ChefCooke (@ReefSixtyNine69) March 7, 2023
Mayor Says Sheriff’s Office And District Attorney All Working Together In Investigation
Hackensack mayor John Labrosse went on to say that the city is working with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in the investigation.
“It is truly heartbreaking to see the terrible toll taken by these illicit and dangerous substances,” Labrosse said.
If you or anyone else you know is struggling with a drug problem, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 for confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information.
