NEW JERSEY — The fentanyl overdose of five women in the parking lot of an upscale New Jersey shopping center where they have all worked for a day was an isolated incident, authorities said, sharing an update on the investigation Thursday.
One of the women remained hospitalized in serious condition, while three others were discharged. The fifth victim refused to receive medical attention at the scene, Hackensack police said. Police officers responding to a 911 call found them all lying on the lower parking lot floor in the Shops at Riverside, without responding. Each was revived with Narcan.
The women are between 29 and 41 years of age. No other details were released, other than that they worked at the mall.
It was unclear how they ingested the potentially lethal drug (fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than heroin) or if they knew it was fentanyl. The opioid can be used to mix drugs such as cocaine or heroin to produce a stronger high, authorities said. The tests on the substance they ingested to determine its components are pending.
Investigators said mall operations were back to normal and no customers were affected, in addition to seeing a hectic scene in the parking area Wednesday afternoon. There was no word on possible criminal charges.
Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse condemned the scourge of drugs that he says has gripped too many American communities.
“It is truly heartbreaking to see the terrible toll caused by these dangerous and illicit substances,” Labrosse said. “My office has been working closely with law enforcement since this tragic incident was first reported, and we will continue to provide necessary support to emergency services and the rest of the community as the situation continues.” .
The investigation, which is being conducted by the Hackensack Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, is ongoing.
Fentanyl is considered one of the deadliest illicit drugs, one that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin and likely behind a wave of opioid overdoses and deaths across the United States in recent years.
In January, a 57-year-old high school teacher in Westfield, New Jersey, overdosed in front of his students, authorities said. He was carried unconscious from the scene. No updates on his condition were available Thursday.