Sheriff: 3 overdoses in 6 hours in Ramsey County; possible contamination involved

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is warning the public after deputies responded to three heroin overdoses in less than six hours Saturday.

Overdoses occurred in Ramsey County at 8:13 a.m., 11:25 a.m. and 1:42 p.m. in Ramsey County; two were in Shoreview, and one was in White Bear Township. Additional reports of overdoses came from Anoka and Hennepin counties.

The sheriff's office said in two cases, deputies administered narcan and saved both people involved. A third person is still being evaluated after receiving a dose of narcan.

In a news release, the sheriff's office said due to the timing of the overdoses, it's possible a batch of heroin tainted with other chemicals is being distributed around the metro.

“While all illegal drugs are dangerous and pose the risk of serious injury or death to the user, the fact these many overdoses occurred so close together is especially alarming and a sign that these drugs may be contaminated," said Ramsey County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jeff Ramacher.

No further information was available.