ALARM AT BPD: TAINTED COCAINE

BRADENTON -- Cocaine contaminated with dangerous levels of ammonia
sickened a crime-scene technician and drew the Manatee County
hazardous materials team to the police department Friday.

The chain of events started Thursday, when the cocaine was
confiscated and the technician handled the drug as evidence.

Later that evening, the technician went to the hospital with
respiratory problems and severe irritation on his arms and neck,
according to Bradenton Police Maj. Bill Tokajer.

The Bradenton Police Department's evidence room was ventilated
overnight. When firefighters encountered the cocaine the next day,
some had burning throats, police said.

Firefighters called the county's hazardous materials team to the
scene. They entered the evidence room shortly after noon in full
protective suits.

The team re-emerged into the police department parking lot with a
secure bag holding the cocaine. Waiting firefighters hosed the team down.

Bradenton Fire Department Deputy Chief David Ezell said the hazardous
materials team secured the cocaine without injury or contamination.

Police took the cocaine to the sheriff's office for testing.

A high level of ammonia in the cocaine was found during tests and is
believed to have caused the technician to get sick, Tokajer said.

Tokajer said the department's evidence room will remain closed to be
ventilated over the weekend, and reopened Monday.

Manatee County Public Safety Capt. Larry Leinhauser said there is
little fear that other areas of the city hall complex could be
contaminated because the evidence room is secured.

Bradenton Narcotics Unit Lt. James Racky said cocaine is often cut
with chemicals, but a high amount of ammonia is out of the ordinary.

"I think it was someone either selling bad stuff trying to get money
or trying to hurt somebody," said Racky.

Racky said chemicals also are used at times to throw off drug dogs.
"They try everything," he said. "Ammonia, fabric softener, coffee, oil."