TACOMA, Wash. - A 22-year veteran of the Camas Fire Department has been charged with stealing a powerful painkiller from the department and refilling the syringes - apparently with tap water.

Capt. Bradley Allen is facing one count of product tampering in federal court in Tacoma. He was arrested Tuesday.

Paramedics noticed early this month that safety seals on syringes of Fentanyl in two ambulances were broken. They then checked the supply room and discovered that the station's entire supply of Fentanyl was missing.

According to a complaint filed in federal court, Allen confessed when questioned by Camas police. He said he stole the painkiller and refilled the syringes with tap water, and he'd been stealing drugs from the department for three years.

His attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

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