Deadly Drug Xylazine Confirmed in Dubuque

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine – and officials say it’s now been confirmed in Dubuque. 

Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for veterinary use – not for use for people. Administrators say Xylazine is making fentanyl, the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, even deadlier.

Xylazine can cause skin ulcers beyond the injection site, high blood sugar, difficulty swallowing, lethargic symptoms, decreased respirations and a life-threatening drop in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to tissues.

The Dubuque Drug Task Force has received confirmation from the Iowa Department of Public Safety DCI crime lab of the presence of Xylazine found within a mixture of heroin and fentanyl in illegal drugs seized in Dubuque. The drugs were seized in June, with confirmation from the DCI crime lab this week. This is the first confirmation of Xylazine being found in the Dubuque area.