For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-865-4110
Email: [email protected]

Dedham Police and Fire Departments Respond after White Powder, Believed to be Fentanyl, Found at Library

Woman Charged with Drug Possession

DEDHAM — Police Chief Michael d’Entremont and Fire Chief William Spillane  report that a Tier One hazardous materials response was declared today at the Dedham Public Library after the discovery of a white powdery substance, believed to be narcotics.

Dedham Police responded to the library, located at 43 Church St., at 3:15 p.m. for a report of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, officers were informed that a woman had gone into the restroom and not come out for some time. When staff went to check the restroom, the woman ran out of the building, and a white powdery substance was left behind.

The Dedham Fire Department responded to the scene, and a hazmat incident was declared out of an abundance of caution. This sent state and municipal resources into Dedham to provide specialized assistance.

Minutes later, officers reported that stopped a vehicle on Church Street near the police station driven by a woman matching the description of the individual seen at the library. More white powder was observed in the vehicle and on the driver. The substance was field tested and believed to be heroin or Fentanyl or some combination of opioids. The driver, a 28-YEAR-OLD WESTWOOD WOMAN was taken into custody. A criminal complaint will be sought for her this week, charging her with:

• Possession of a Class A Substance
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
• Providing a False Name to Law Enforcement

The white powder on the suspect and in the vehicle field tested positive for Fentanyl, but the powder in the library field tested negative. Additional tests will be performed on all the evidence collected.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dedham Police Department. The suspect will be arraigned at Dedham District Court at a later date.

No one was injured.

These are allegations all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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