PCP Fumes Make Suspects, Children, Deputy Ill in Raid

Three young children and a sheriff’s deputy trying to serve a search warrant were injured Monday in Pasadena after suspected drug dealers tried to destroy two containers of the hallucinogen PCP, authorities said.

The suspects--three men and a woman--were also overcome by fumes, said Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Williams. All the suspects were taken to a hospital for treatment, he said. The woman is the children’s grandmother, he said.

The suspects were being held on suspicion of various drug offenses and child endangerment, Williams said.

The incident began when two sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve a search warrant in the 700 block of Ladera Street near Lake Avenue.

Department spokeswoman Carrie Stewart said the deputies expected to find marijuana, but as they arrived one of the men inside began destroying two containers of PCP in the basement. The fumes from the drug made the suspects sick, Stewart said.