Federal agents have successfully saved thousands of lives after intercepting 18 pounds of a deadly horse tranquilizer that was destined for American homes.
Known as “tranq,” the potent drug xylazine has no antidote and is increasingly mixed with other drugs in America’s streets, which creates a deadly cocktail.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team seized three shipments containing xylazine at a Chicago air cargo facility.
The packages arrived from China and were destined for residences in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
The seizure has revealed a concerning pipeline of illegal animal sedatives making their way into American communities.
The dangerous sedative has increasingly become a problem in America’s ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic.
Drug dealers frequently mix xylazine with fentanyl and heroin to extend their supplies and enhance the effects.
However, this tranquilizer does not respond to Narcan, the emergency treatment that reverses opioid overdoses.
When humans consume xylazine, the effects can be devastating. The powerful sedative dangerously slows breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Health officials still recommend administering Narcan during suspected overdoses involving xylazine, but only because the drug is typically mixed with opioids that the treatment can counteract.
“The work of our officers has been incredible and their dedication to CBP’s enforcement mission is evident when you look at these deadly illicit substance seizures,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operation at the Chicago Field Office.
“Drug traffickers are persistent in their attempts to smuggle sedatives such as xylazine into the United States, however, through our hard work and vigilance we will continue to intercept these dangerous substances at our port of entry before they can harm our communities,” she added.
Both the FDA and DEA have issued strong warnings about xylazine, which has earned the street name “tranq” as its use has exploded in recent years.
The drug’s presence in America’s drug supply represents yet another threat in the ongoing crisis that has allowed dangerous substances to flood communities.
The interception of these shipments highlights the critical role that CBP plays in America’s national security.
Operating at 328 ports of entry nationwide, CBP serves as the first line of defense against deadly drugs entering the country.
Their vigilance in this case potentially saved countless American lives from a drug with no known antidote.
The seizure raises additional concerns about China’s role in America’s drug crisis.
While much attention has focused on Chinese fentanyl production, this incident shows that other dangerous substances continue flowing from China to American streets.
This creates new challenges for law enforcement and healthcare providers working to combat the epidemic.
