Mystery substance sickens La. cops

**Buttercup** · 07-24-09, 08:16 PM

-AP

A mystery substance found in a truck that authorities believe was hauling narcotics has sickened numerous law enforcement officers in Louisiana, and at least 18 have been quarantined as a precaution.

Roberto Bryan Jr., a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, says 18 DEA agents, Louisiana State Police troopers and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies have been quarantined at East Jefferson General Hospital until the substance is identified.

State police Lt. Doug Cain says several officers were overcome with nausea and dizziness as they searched a suspicious 18-wheeler that had been taken to police headquarters. Officers found several bricks of white powder among the truck's cargo of limes.

**Ducky** · 07-24-09, 08:40 PM

I sincerely hope it winds up being something very, very minor.

**Cidp24** · 07-24-09, 10:22 PM

Half-million in cocaine found in truck that sickened officers - NOLA.com

KATHY ANDERSON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNEHazmat crews hose down workers at State Police Troop B in Kenner after a caustic chemical leak from a truck on I-10 in St. John Parish on July 24, 2009. Investigators have found about $500,000 worth of cocaine hidden amongst the limes being transported inside of a tractor-trailer that sent 17 law enforcement officers and a police dog to the hospital this morning.
"At this time, we have 23 kilos of cocaine on the ground and we still have six pallets of limes to unload," said Trooper Louis Calato, spokesman for the State Police. "I think it's fair to say the number could go up."
The cocaine was found in the dozens of boxes unloaded by officers this morning from an 18-wheeler that had initially been pulled over for a traffic stop.
The truck's two occupants have been arrested and booked with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, Calato said. WWL TV has identified the men as Francisco Aparaicio and David Aparaicio.

Authorities aren't sure where the truck was headed, but Special Agent Roberto Bryan Jr., spokesman for the DEA said the vehicle had a Texas license plate and the occupants had Texas driver's licenses.
"That's about all we know right now," he said.
Hazardous Materials crews had to be called in this morning after the officers who first began unloading the truck mysteriously fell ill. Testing later revealed they were sickened by pesticides inside the trailer. Authorities still aren't sure whether the pesticides were already on the limes or were sprayed to throw off drug dogs.
All of the officers had been discharged as of 3:30 p.m.
The incident began about 5 a.m. when a State Police trooper stopped the eastbound truck on Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish, according to Kevin Harrison, DEA's assistant special agent in charge.
While questioning the driver and passenger, the trooper felt something was amiss and asked to search the trailer, according to Trooper Louis Calato, spokesman for the State Police. He called in DEA for assistance after finding "a brick of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine," said Calato.
Officers then transported the trailer to Troop B State Police headquarters, located at 2101 Interstate 10 Service Road in Kenner. A narcotics task force comprised of officers from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, DEA and State Police then began unloading the trailer, which was also carrying green boxes of produce.
They removed several dozens boxes and had begun to perform a field test on one of the "kilos" when the officers began to feel nauseous, Harrison said. As a precaution the officers were transported to East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie.
Captain Emile Larson with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division said the officers were treated in a decontamination unit set up in the hospital parking garage.
Because officials were unsure whether the substance was dangerous, the hospital shut down the emergency room this morning and began directing patients to other hospitals.
The hospital reopened about 12:30 p.m.

**lewisipso** · 07-25-09, 12:01 AM

I am curious to know if the pesticide was placed there strictly to expose law enforcement. If so I sincerely this is pursued to the fullest.

**Five-0** · 07-25-09, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

I am curious to know if the pesticide was placed there strictly to expose law enforcement. If so I sincerely this is pursued to the fullest.

Oddly enough the worst we could do to them is to release them on a signature bond. These two mules just lost $500,000 in yayo. They would be sharing a 55 gallon drum in the desert before the day is out.

**MacLean** · 07-25-09, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

I am curious to know if the pesticide was placed there strictly to expose law enforcement. If so I sincerely this is pursued to the fullest.

Can't imagine why else limes would be transported in such a fashion.

Citrus fruit is naturally resistant to insects.

**Morris** · 07-25-09, 03:56 AM

Tainted drug loads made in a manner to poison cops and narco sniffers are a fairly recent and increasing trend. The cartels figure they can take out cops and dogs as a payback for finding their loads.

**Wolven** · 07-25-09, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by maclean

Can't imagine why else limes would be transported in such a fashion.

Citrus fruit is naturally resistant to insects.

Maclean...the walking, talking encyclopedia of knowledge. Tried Jeopardy? I'm sure with all that information in your head..you'd most likely win. lol (shakes head in wonderment)