Senator Mike Braun recently sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas and DEA Administrator Milgram highlighting the critical importance for increased scrutiny and resources to apprehend and seize drug traffickers lacing Fentanyl with Xylazine.
In 2022, ~23% of fentanyl powder seized by the DEA contained xylazine.
In the letter, Senator Braun specifically asks for direct answers regarding:
• To what extent is DHS currently tracking the presence of xylazine contained or found in vehicles at American ports of entry?
• What geographic trends has DHS and DEA identified in the distribution of xylazine or xylazine-laced drugs?
• What is the DEA doing to identify deaths attributable (in whole or in part) to xylazine and to help state and local authorities enhance xylazine-specific interdiction?
Data shows xylazine is mostly contaminating drugs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Connecticut for now; however, Ohio has reported to find xylazine present in 25-30% of recovered fentanyl paraphernalia in its state.
Xylazine is a significant public health threat in communities across America, and Senator Braun is proactively addressing this danger before it reaches Hoosier families.
– Team Braun
