MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. — New Mexico State Police provided new details Friday in a hazardous materials investigation that left three people dead and exposed dozens, including first responders, to dangerous drugs.
Officials say 25 people were exposed to a combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl — a potent synthetic opioid also known as P-4 fentanyl.
The incident began before 8 a.m. Wednesday, when emergency crews responded to a home in Mountainair for a suspected overdose. Inside, four people were found unresponsive. Three of those individuals later died.
Two victims have been identified as 51-year-old Micah Rascon and 49-year-old Georgia Rascon. The third person who died has not yet been identified. A fourth person survived and remains hospitalized.
According to state police, at least 21 first responders who entered the home began experiencing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. They were taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital for evaluation and decontamination. Most have since been released, with only two still hospitalized as of Friday afternoon.
Investigators say there is no indication of drug manufacturing inside the home at this time. However, they are still working to determine how the substances spread and caused exposure to so many people.
Federal agencies, including the DEA, are assisting in the investigation.
This remains a developing story.
