Five workers overdosed on fentanyl at NJ Mall: officials

Five employees at a New Jersey mall overdosed after ingesting fentanyl, city officials said.

While the investigation is still in the preliminary stages, city officials said five women who work at Riverside stores in Hackensack somehow ingested the lethal drug on Wednesday afternoon and became unresponsive.

First responders rushed to the mall and injected the women, all of whom were adults between the ages of 29 and 41, with overdose symptoms. As part of the rescue efforts, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was also performed and the women were resuscitated.

Four of the five women were taken to the hospital, and another refused to be transported.

“It is truly heartbreaking to see the horrendous toll caused by these illegal and dangerous substances,” said Hackensack Mayor John Labros. “My office has been working closely with law enforcement since the first report of this tragic incident, and we will continue to provide any support needed to emergency services and the rest of the community as the situation evolves.”

It wasn’t immediately clear how the women ingested the fentanyl, officials said, but the opioid can be used to add drugs like cocaine or heroin for a stronger effect. However, users may not be aware of its presence, or be unprepared for how intense the effect can be, and die as a result of the potent drug.

“I want to assure the community that we are already conducting a thorough investigation of this case to find the source of this dangerous substance, and will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” Hackensack said. Chief of Police, Captain Michael Antista.

The investigation, which is being conducted by the Hackensack Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Bergen County Attorney’s Office, is ongoing.