'Illicit' version of fentanyl linked to deadly New Mexico incident that sickened first responders

Authorities on Friday identified the mystery substance that hospitalized more than a dozen first responders after they responded to a New Mexico home where three people died in a suspected overdose incident.

Officials said first responders were exposed to fentanyl after arriving at a home in Mountainair, New Mexico, where four people were found unresponsive.

Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third later died at the University of New Mexico Hospital. A fourth person survived.

"Preliminary findings indicate this incident is tied to exposure to a powdered opioid substance within the home, and on-scene DEA laboratory analysis has confirmed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl, also called P4 fentanyl," New Mexico State Police Chief Matt Broom said during a news conference.

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