SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Two people face felony drug charges following a joint investigation that uncovered the sale of “Tranq,” a powerful animal tranquilizer linked to a growing number of overdoses across Pennsylvania.
District Attorney Brian J. Gallagher announced that Brian Kehl and Hailey Hafer were arrested on October 15 after detectives from the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit carried out a coordinated operation in South Scranton.
Investigators said Kehl was allegedly selling Xylazine, commonly referred to as Tranq, a veterinary sedative not approved for human use but increasingly found mixed with street drugs. A controlled buy was arranged on Cedar Avenue, where detectives later recovered the marked money used in the transaction from Kehl.
Both Kehl and Hafer reportedly admitted traveling to Scranton with the intent to complete the drug sale, according to investigators.
District Attorney Gallagher credited the cooperation between agencies for swiftly removing the dangerous substance from circulation.
All charges are allegations. Kehl and Hafer are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.