ST. MARY'S COUNTY, Md. — A county leader has been arrested after police found a seal on a medic box containing vials of fentanyl had been broken at multiple local medic units.
According to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Emergency Services called deputies on July 16 after noticing the seal on a narcotics box had been broken.
Officials say the medic box with the broken seal contained vials of fentanyl which also appeared to be compromised. Later, investigators say they uncovered more tampering incidents in multiple county medic units and EMS facilities.
On Tuesday, less than a week after the broken seal was found, deputies announced the arrest of 39-year-old Thomas Patrick Raley. While being the lone suspect in the tampering, Raley is also the Chief of Emergency Medical Services for St. Mary’s County Government.
Deputies have not said what charges Raley is facing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Kevin Meyer at Kevin.Meyer@stmaryscountymd.gov or call 301-475-4200, ext. 8091.
If you, or someone you know, has substance abuse issues there is help available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at (800) 662-4357.
Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can be purchased over the counter or requested from many health departments at no cost. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system. According to the CDC, it may be administered on people of all ages.
Where to find Naloxone in DC, Maryland and Virginia:
- DC: Department of Behavioral Health
- Maryland: Department of Health
- Virginia: Department of Health
