Spill of deadly drug evidence prompts new GBI procedures

A Duluth street was quarantined after a drug spill Wednesday and the GBI is taking steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Fentanyl spilled out of an evidence package inside a Duluth patrol SUV which closed down the 3200 block of Buford Highway.

The GBI concluded powder residue containing fine furanyl fentanyl leaked through untaped corners of a cardboard box that was being returned to the police department, according to a Thursday news release.

The state law enforcement and investigative agency temporarily halted release of its drug evidence following the spill, but the GBI resumed normal operations Thursday.

“The Crime Lab has modified lab procedures related to repackaging and return of drug evidence to ensure that this situation does not recur,” the release stated.

Earlier this month, health and law enforcement officials warned of toxic street drugs, including counterfeit Percocet, that might be responsible for recent deaths.

Toxicology results are still pending in those cases, officials said Thursday.

In April, Gov. Nathan Deal outlawed U-47700 and furanyl fentanyl in the state while law enforcement was warned to take extra precautions due to the high toxicity level.

This story was originally published June 30, 2017 at 7:41 AM with the headline "Spill of deadly drug evidence prompts new GBI procedures."