PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a concerted effort to combat the influx of dangerous drugs into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Philadelphia have intercepted three shipments of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer increasingly found mixed with opioids such as fentanyl. This substance is alarming officials due to its lethal potential and resistance to overdose reversal treatments like Narcan.
The most recent seizure occurred last Thursday, involving a parcel from Spain that was labeled as “mica powder for makeup” but contained 1.04 kilograms of xylazine hydrochloride. Earlier, CBP officers confiscated two other shipments of xylazine weighing 1.02 kilograms and 1.075 kilograms on September 16 and September 5, respectively. All parcels were en route to Philadelphia from Spain, totaling approximately 3.135 kilograms of the illicit substance.
Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is primarily used by veterinarians as a sedative for large animals. Its increasing use as an additive in opioid mixtures poses significant risks, as it does not respond to Narcan—rendering traditional overdose treatments ineffective. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have both issued warnings regarding xylazine’s growing prevalence and potential for fatal outcomes.
Compounding the issue is xylazine’s low cost. According to the DEA, a kilogram of xylazine can be procured for as little as $20 online from suppliers based in China, making it an attractive option for drug traffickers.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Adam Streetman, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, stated, “Customs and Border Protection officers know the challenges our country faces in protecting our citizens from the deadly threats posed by dangerous drugs trafficked by transnational criminal organizations, including dangerous synthetics like xylazine, and from fentanyl and fentanyl precursors.” He reaffirmed CBP’s dedication to intercepting these substances at national borders and ports of entry, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with local, federal, and international partners to combat these threats.
The seizures in Philadelphia are part of a broader effort by CBP, which on average confiscates 2,339 pounds of drugs daily, including 78 pounds of fentanyl, across the nation’s borders. These actions highlight the critical role CBP plays in safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs trafficked by criminal organizations. An investigation into the xylazine shipments is ongoing, as authorities strive to dismantle the networks responsible for this illicit trade.
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