5 Denver Jail Inmates Hospitalized For Drug Overdoses

DENVER (AP) — Authorities say five Denver jail inmates were hospitalized after overdosing on crack cocaine.

Sheriff department spokesman Simon Crittle said investigators believe an inmate brought the drug into the downtown jail through an intake area.

Crittle says five men were hospitalized after the Thursday incident. One has since been returned to jail.

Dogs searched the inmates' pod after they became sick but found no drugs.

The department says it does random cell inspections at its two jails, and a drug dog also routinely searches.

Consultants reviewing the department last year found large amounts of contraband, including heroin and pornography. The consultants said employees could have been a likely source.

The department says it is buying three more drug dogs, and a captain has been put in charge of facility security.