Philly cops released from hospital after fentanyl scare

Two Philadelphia police officers were released from a hospital overnight after possibly coming into contact with fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, and reporting adverse affects during an arrest in North Philadelphia Monday night.

Around 10:30 p.m., police officers were involved in a narcotics arrest at 30th and Diamond Streets in Strawberry Mansion when one officer touched what may have been fentanyl.

The officer was taken by police to Temple University Hospital. A second officer also went to the hospital as a precaution.

Both were released early Tuesday, officials said.

There have been reports of first responders claiming to become ill from touching fentanyl, but some doctors say that such contact is not dangerous and the risk is being overblown.