Nearly 20 individuals were evacuated from a courtroom in Washington state on Thursday after some drug evidence contaminated with fentanyl residue was exposed during a trial, prompting a hazardous materials response.
The incident unfolded around 11:55 a.m. in a second-floor courtroom at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett. Initially, an envelope thought to contain scales was treated in the courtroom and opened, leading to the discovery of fentanyl residue on one of the scales. It’s still unclear why the envelope was opened during this process.
“Some people thought they noticed a small amount of powder that seemed to have fallen off a scale,” said Rachel Doniger from the Everett Fire Department.
As a precaution, everyone in the courtroom was relocated to the fourth floor of the courthouse for medical evaluations. Emergency personnel took vital signs and monitored for any signs of overdose, like difficulty breathing or unconsciousness.
“Fortunately, no one exhibited symptoms or had to be taken to the hospital,” Doniger noted, explaining that everyone was later released.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office sealed off the second-floor courtroom, allowing a hazardous materials team to clean and secure the area.
This incident has raised a number of questions regarding the proper handling of drug evidence in court. Mark Lindquist, a former district attorney, commented that he’s never heard of a case being dismissed due to possible drug exposure. He stated, “Either someone dropped the ball here or the rules need to be changed.”
Lindquist expressed concern over the handling of drug paraphernalia, suggesting that it should be securely stored in an evidence room. He also questioned why photographs weren’t utilized in this trial instead of the physical scale. “This is the first time I’ve heard of a courtroom being disqualified due to potential drug exposure,” he added.
When asked about an investigation, the High Court indicated it was examining the details of the event and reconsidering its policies to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
Officials have not clarified the exact quantity of fentanyl residue involved, noting that there was no visible aerosol or indication of significant airborne release.
