Students Discover What Appears to be Cocaine and Fentanyl

McCOOK Neb. - On Saturday afternoon, two McCook Junior High students went for a walk and spotted a bag of chips on the ground. However, they noticed something else appeared to be inside it. Their curiosity piqued, they picked it up and discovered what they believed could be drugs. Without hesitation, they called the police, and an officer collected the item as evidence.

In an email, McCook Police Chief Kevin Hodgson stated, “I cannot confirm what the substance was inside the bag.” He elaborated that they conduct a presumptive test, which is a guideline to indicate what they would like a confirmatory lab to analyze. The results of the presumptive test suggested the presence of cocaine. A subsequent presumptive test, based on the initial findings, indicated fentanyl's presence. He noted, “These results are intended to guide us when we are requesting lab testing and are not confirmatory.”

He also mentioned, “Based on what I can tell, the officer initiated an investigation. However, there is not a lot to go on in this case.”

When asked how others should respond in similar situations, he said, “If someone should run across a suspicious package and is worried it may not be safe, please call the police. Please provide the dispatcher with a description of the item along with its location. Avoid touching suspicious items, if at all possible, with bare hands. Certain substances can be absorbed through the skin or, if in powder form, can be inhaled through the mouth and nose. If a person happens to touch the item, thoroughly rinse and wash the affected area. If safe to do so, keep others from handling the suspicious item until the police arrive and can collect it.”