An investigation is underway after an incident at the Kamloops Law Courts landed four deputy sheriffs and a prisoner in hospital.

BCGEU spokesman Dean Purdy told Kamloops this Week the incident took place in the late afternoon on Wednesday as an inmate was being searched in the courthouse乌鸦传媒檚 cellblock.

乌鸦传媒淔our deputy sheriffs were involved in an altercation where an inmate refused to be searched,乌鸦传媒� Purdy said. 乌鸦传媒淎 scuffle ensued and, during the scuffle, the drugs went airborne.乌鸦传媒�

Purdy described the drugs as 乌鸦传媒渁n unknown powdery substance乌鸦传媒� that could potentially contain fentanyl or carfentanil.

One of the sheriffs involved in the altercation was also exposed to bodily fluids of the prisoner,乌鸦传媒� Purdy said.

乌鸦传媒淚t was, I believe, saliva and blood,乌鸦传媒� Purdy said. 乌鸦传媒淗e was exposed to that in his eyes and mouth. All four sheriffs were taken to hospital and treated by doctors and then subsequently released.乌鸦传媒�

Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Cheryl Bush said Mounties were called at just before 5 p.m.

乌鸦传媒淧olice were advised that during an altercation with a prisoner over a baggie of what was believed to be drugs, the bag was ripped open,乌鸦传媒� Bush said. 乌鸦传媒淭here was concern of contamination and the possibility that the contents could contain fentanyl.乌鸦传媒�

Kamloops Fire rescue乌鸦传媒檚 hazmat team and paramedics were also called.

The sheriff exposed to the prisoner乌鸦传媒檚 bodily fluids will undergo further treatment as a precaution, Purdy said, noting investigations are likely to come from police, WorkSafe BC and a joint accident investigation under occupational health and safety regulations.