U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Chicago intercepted three shipments of the veterinary sedative xylazine from China on April 12, preventing the drug from entering American communities. The powder-filled packages were headed to addresses in Cleveland and Philadelphia, and officers used a handheld device to confirm the substance’s identity.

Xylazine, originally intended for use in large animals, has become a dangerous additive in the illegal drug trade when mixed with opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Unlike opioids, xylazine does not respond to overdose-reversal treatments like Narcan, and there is no known antidote for its effects. Both the FDA and DEA have issued warnings about the drug’s increasing presence in illegal drug markets.

CBP’s Director of Field Operation for the Chicago Field Office praised the officers’ work in intercepting these deadly substances, highlighting the agency’s dedication to its enforcement mission. CBP plays a crucial role in balancing border security with the flow of legitimate trade and travel, with officers trained to identify and stop unusual shipments like these before they reach American communities.