This browser does not support the Video element.
LAFD responds to several overdoses at central jail
Officials said at least one person has died.
LOS ANGELES - A man is dead and six others hospitalized following possible overdoses at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the jail located at 400 E. Bauchet Street around 8:40 a.m. on a report of possible overdoses involving an "unknown white powder," officials said.
The person who died is described as a man in his 30s. It's unknown if the incident involved inmates and/or staff at the jail.
The six people taken to the hospital suffered minor injuries, authorities said.
The man's cause of death remains under investigation.
Hazmat teams were on scene along with firefighters and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which is in charge of the facility.
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, authorities said searches have been increased at each jail facility as well as housing facilities. K9s trained to sniff out narcotics are also used to aid in searches.
Officials said they also hope to get more body scanners - like the ones at the airport - to help further crackdown on narcotics being brought in and distributed in facilities.