State Police: Pesticide Distributed As Heroin In New Jersey

PHILADLEPHIA (CBS) – New Jersey State Police say a pesticide was found in a number of brands sold as heroin in the state.

In a post on the New Jersey State Police's Facebook page, authorities say the Office of Forensic Sciences is reporting the presence of a pesticide, specifically Carbaryl, in a laboratory sample that was suspected to be heroin.

According to State Police, the pesticide was mixed with other substances normally mixed with heroin.

State Police say Carbaryl is a carcinogenic sold under the name "Sevin" and exposure to this substance can occur by skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion and can affect the respiratory and central nervous systems.

State Police say symptoms of exposure may include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. They say other symptoms of high dosages may include sweating, blurring of vision, loss of coordination, and involuntary convulsions.

State Police say administration of naloxone will not counteract the symptoms of pesticide consumption.

Carbaryl was found in a number of brands sold as heroin, according to State Police.