Culpeper Star-Exponent: STOP TRANQ Act targets deadly fentanyl ingredient

CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT

new federal measure seeks a greater focus on local tracking of an ingredient found in fentanyl.

The Strengthening Tracking of Poisonous Tranq Requiring Analyzed National Quantification Act would require the U.S. Department of State to include county-by-county reporting of xylazine, also known as “tranq,” in its annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, tracking federal efforts to counter international drug trafficking.

U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, and Vince Fong, R-California, introduced the legislation this week in a response to a recent DEA report. The Drug Enforcement Administration reported approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized in 2022 contained xylazine. The easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer is being used as a cheap cutting agent in illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, according to a release from Spanberger’s office.

More than 3,000 overdose deaths were linked to the drug in 2021. Tranq has especially affected Southern states, which saw a 200% increase in the drug’s presence from 2020 to 2021 — the largest increase in the country, according to Spanberger.

Because xylazine is not an opioid, reversal medications like naloxone, or Narcan, cannot reverse its effects — making fentanyl-mixed xylazine even more deadly. In 2023, the Biden Administration designated fentanyl-mixed xylazine as an “emerging threat,” according to the release.

The State Department currently classifies the substance as a “drug cutting agent” while the bill would require the agency to actively report on an “emerging threat” to improve response to trends contributing to America’s drug crisis, the release states. This includes understanding the role of foreign entities in manufacturing and trafficking illicit Tranq and holding bad actors accountable, Spanberger said.

“Tranq is killing Virginians in our communities and Americans across our country. But right now, our country is ill-equipped to counter the influx of xylazine and fentanyl in our communities,” she said in a statement.

“As a former federal agent and CIA case officer who worked narcotics cases and tracked cartels, I believe that Congress must provide our federal, state and local law enforcement officers with every tool available to combat the deadly drugs flowing into our communities. As drug overdose deaths are increasingly involving xylazine, this bipartisan legislation would help law enforcement crack down on its proliferation in our communities and stop the predators who are killing our neighbors.”

Tranq is a growing drug threat to all Americans and must be taken seriously as a deadly drug coming into the country, Fong added.

“There are drugs on the streets that are killing people in our local communities, especially fentanyl and the growing rise of xylazine, and we should know the trafficking patterns from other countries so that we can stop the flow of these drugs from further harming Americans,” he said. “It is critical that we combat this lethal drug crisis head on and support our law enforcement and prosecutors in going after those who wish us harm.”

The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, Prince William County Police Department, Culpeper Police Department and Stafford County Sheriff’s Office are supporting the STOP TRANQ Act.

“This legislation would provide the information and tools necessary to help law enforcement officers tackle the growing threat of Tranq — and other dangerous drugs — with greater precision and effectiveness,” said Culpeper Police Chief Chris Settle. “The men and women of the Culpeper Police Department are dedicated to combating the drug crisis, and I appreciate Congresswoman Spanberger taking the lead on this bipartisan bill that would protect our communities, enhance public safety and save lives.” Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director John W. Jones said the bill responds to a surge of overdose deaths across the country.

“Street-level drugs are becoming more potent and they continue to destroy far too many lives,” said Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham. “Having the data this bill would require will provide us with the information to make more informed decisions in our fight against these dangerous drugs.”

Illicit drugs have claimed the lives of far too many Virginians, said Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur.

“The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the safety of our residents — and we appreciate this effort to help better equip law enforcement officers with the insight essential to keeping our streets safe and our communities secure.”

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, are carrying companion legislation in the Senate.