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Cartels Use Animal Tranquilizer Produced in China to Make Fentanyl More Addictive
Tests strips, used to detect the presence of fentanyl and xylazine in drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, lay next to a bag of heroin at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction in New York City on May 25, 2023. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Tests strips, used to detect the presence of fentanyl and xylazine in drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, lay next to a bag of heroin at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction in New York City on May 25, 2023. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
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Cartels Use Animal Tranquilizer Produced in China to Make Fentanyl More Addictive

‘Now there’s another synthetic. ... It’s absolute insanity. And they all start in China,’ said April Babcock, whose son died from a fentanyl overdose.
Premium Reports

Cartels Use Animal Tranquilizer Produced in China to Make Fentanyl More Addictive

‘Now there’s another synthetic. ... It’s absolute insanity. And they all start in China,’ said April Babcock, whose son died from a fentanyl overdose.
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By Darlene McCormick Sanchez
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February 02, 2026Updated:February 03, 2026

Medetomidine, a powerful animal sedative used by veterinarians, is fast becoming the adulterant of choice for drug cartels pushing fentanyl on U.S. streets.

​Also known as “rhino tranq,” medetomidine is showing up more frequently than its cousin xylazine, a pain reliever, in the illicit drug supply in places such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago, according to public health alerts.

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