Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Three Florida police officers fall ill after 'potential poisoning' on night out

Investigators await test results to show whether group was drugged

Peter Stubley
Sunday 27 September 2020 12:54 EDT
Comments
Doctors told investigators the officers may have been given a "date rape drug" such as Rohypnol
Doctors told investigators the officers may have been given a "date rape drug" such as Rohypnol (AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police are investigating whether three off-duty officers were poisoned after they fell ill during a night out in Florida.

The group started sweating and vomiting after visiting four downtown bars and restaurants in the city of Sanford for dinner and drinks on 16 September, according to a police report quoted by the Orlando Sentinel.

Two of the officers were taken to hospital, with one being put on a ventilator to assist with breathing.

All three, who were members of the Orlando Police but were not in uniform, have since recovered and left hospital.

They described how the symptoms included muscle pain, profuse sweating and vomiting that appeared "all at once out of nowhere".

The police report stated that a medic told went in and out of consciousness and “appeared to be having the symptoms of someone who may be overdosing."

Health care staff told Sanford police that one officer “may have been drugged" with Rohypnol or GHB, it is claimed.

A doctor who treated one of them at a Seminole County hospital also said the officer “might be experiencing the effect of being drugged or poisoned”, according to the police report.

Investigators are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in