A tranquilizer commonly known as the “zombie drug” is reportedly being produced and trafficked through the U.S. southern border, as stated by a doctor with extensive experience researching it.
The drug xylazine, known as “tranq” in street lingo, is used as a tranquilizer by veterinarians.Â
Initially circulated on the streets in the 2010s mainly through thefts from veterinarians, especially prevalent on the East Coast, the drug’s source has now shifted to foreign manufacturing, indicating the potential for a significant increase in its distribution.
Dr. Joseph Friedman, a long-time researcher of xylazine, emphasized the evidence of its entry into the U.S. via the southern border and the diversion of veterinary supplies within the country.
That study showed xylazine presence in overdose deaths had jumped from 3.6% in 2015 to 6.7% in 2020.Â
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in 2022 concluded that xylazine prevalence in opioid deaths had increased from 2.9% in January 2019 to 10.9% in June 2022.
Xylazine from a veterinary practice (Fox News)
Fox News Digital reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.Â
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued a public safety alert about the drug in 2023.
“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” the DEA said at the time. “The DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states. The DEA Laboratory System is reporting that in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.”
Fox News’ Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.Â
