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Hazardous material teams assist DEA with synthetic opioid bust in Midvale

Posted at 7:34 PM, Jul 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-07 09:20:08-04

MIDVALE, Utah -- The DEA and other agencies descended on a home in Midvale believed to be involved in a synthetic opioid operation.

Multiple agencies responded in the area of 7800 South Autumn Station Way in Midvale Thursday, and Fox 13 News first heard reports of the incident around 4:30 p.m.

DEA personnel at the scene tell Fox 13 News the incident involves a large-scale synthetic opioid operation. Hazardous material teams from the Utah National Guard and the Unified Fire Authority also responded.

Eric Holmes with UFA confirms one member of their hazardous material team was treated for heat exhaustion and is expected to be OK. There are no reports of injury in connection with the potentially hazardous materials at the scene.

Lt. Col. Christopher Caldwell, who commands the 85th Civil Support Team for the Utah National Guard, said they are not the lead on this investigation but were contacted in advance of the operation and asked to provide support.

A hazardous material team wearing protective gear entered the home to collect samples of various substances and record video for law enforcement. Caldwell said they tested various substances and were able to rule some things out but have not yet made positive identification on all of the substances.

While the National Guard units have left the scene, fire crews and other personnel remained Thursday night.

Fox 13 News has reached out to the DEA and other involved agencies for additional information, and we will update this story as more details emerge.