U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia seized three parcels in September of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that authorities report is being cut more frequently with fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to deadly effect. Xylazine does not respond to Narcan.
CBP officers seized the most recent parcel on Thursday after it arrived in express air delivery from Spain. The parcel, which was destined to an address in Philadelphia, was manifested as “mica powder for makeup.” The parcel contained a white, powdery substance that tested positive for xylazine hydrochloride using a handheld elemental isotope analysis tool.
The xylazine weighed 1.04 kilograms, or nearly two pounds and five ounces. CBP officers also seized 1.02 kilograms of xylazine on September 16, and 1.075 kilograms on September 5. Both parcels were shipped from Spain to addresses in Philadelphia. Collectively, the three xylazine shipments weighed 3.135 kilograms, or about six pounds and 15 ounces.
An investigation continues.
Used by veterinarians as a sedative for large animals, xylazine is being increasingly found mixed with opioids like fentanyl and heroin, often with deadly results.
Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have issued warnings about xylazine, also known as “tranq,” and xylazine’s growing threat to users and communities across the nation. In addition to the inherent danger of overdose, this chemical is not a narcotic and does not respond to Narcan, a medication that helps prevent opioid overdose deaths. There is no known antidote.
Another serious concern for authorities is that xylazine is cheap. According to the DEA, A kilogram of xylazine powder can be purchased online from Chinese suppliers with common prices ranging up to $20 per kilogram.