Three Orlando Officers Potentially Poisoned With Date Rape Drug, Florida Police Investigating

An investigation has been launched into whether three Florida police officers who fell ill during a night out last week were intentionally drugged or poisoned.

The officers from the Orlando Police Department reported feeling unwell while drinking at bars and restaurants in Sanford on Wednesday, September 16, with two of them needing hospital treatment.

One of the officers started vomiting and required an IV Fluid, reported Click Orlando. A second officer developed more serious symptoms later in the night and had to be placed on a ventilator.

A doctor who treated one of the officers at Seminole County hospital said they "might be experiencing the effect of being drugged or poisoned," according to a report by Sanford police seen by the Orlando Sentinel.

A first responder who attended to the officers said one who kept going in and out consciousness "appeared to be having the symptoms of someone who may be overdosing."

Medical staff also told Sanford police that at least one officer "may have been drugged with a narcotic commonly known as Rohypnol (GHB),"—a common "date rape" drug which is known for rendering victims unable to defend themselves from attack.

One of the officers said their symptoms came "all at once out of nowhere," and included "vomiting, profuse sweating and muscle pain."

All officers, who have not been identified, have since recovered from their illnesses.

Adam Krudo, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge that represents Orlando officers, confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that all three officers were off duty and not in uniform during their night out in Sanford.

Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillet confirmed that the FBI are assisting with the investigation. Detectives are awaiting a toxicology report to determine if the officers were poisoned or drugged.

One of the officers who fell ill reportedly told police he had an exchange of words with a bartender during a previous visit to one of the bars they went to that night.

In a statement to WFTV, the owner of Hollerbach's bar and restaurant where the officers attended on their night out said: "We are cooperating with the police in their investigation and our community stands with officer safety."

The owner of Tuffy's bar where the officers also visited that night said he hopes people are not quick to judge.

Police are examining surveillance footage from the bars and restaurants the officers visited as part of the investigation.

The Orlando and Samford police departments have been contacted for comment.