35-year-old Ashley Wimbrow / PCSO

Lakeland Woman Arrested for Illegal Possession of Xylazine, Animal Neglect, and Unlicensed Veterinary Practice

By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 27, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland woman has been arrested following an investigation that began with an intercepted international package containing a powerful veterinary sedative, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives say U.S. Customs officials in New York intercepted a package shipped from India that contained Xylazine, a veterinary sedative commonly known as “tranq,” and frequently found mixed with fentanyl in illicit drug sales. The package was addressed to a residence on North Socrum Loop Road in unincorporated Lakeland.

Authorities reported the shipment contained eight boxes labeled “Xylaxine” with glass bottles filled with liquid Xylazine, totaling approximately 240 grams of the substance.

On February 26, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives executed a search warrant at the home and spoke with 35-year-old Ashley Wimbrow.

According to investigators, Wimbrow said she was involved in dog breeding and admitted to using Xylazine to sedate dogs while performing surgical procedures for payment. She told detectives she had conducted these procedures for about a year, charging between $10 and $100 depending on the procedure and size of the animal.

Deputies say the procedures allegedly included tail docking and ear cropping, which are surgeries intended to alter a dog’s appearance. Wimbrow reportedly told investigators she had never held a license to practice veterinary medicine and claimed she was unaware that one was required. Authorities later confirmed she did not possess a valid veterinary license.

Conditions Inside the Home

During the search, deputies discovered five dogs housed in separate crates inside the residence. Investigators described the crates as containing fresh and dried feces and puddles of urine, with a strong ammonia odor present in the room.

The dogs were identified as smaller pit bull-type breeds commonly referred to as “pocket bullies.”

Wimbrow signed a voluntary custody transfer form, and the animals were taken to Polk County Animal Control for medical evaluations. Officials said there was no evidence indicating the dogs were involved in dogfighting. After evaluation and care, the dogs are expected to be made available for adoption through a reputable rescue organization.

Wimbrow was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony 3)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor 1)
• Animal Neglect for Confinement Without Proper Air Exchange (Misdemeanor 1)
• Practicing Veterinary Medicine Without a Valid License (Felony 3)

The case was a joint effort involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the findings, stating,

“Fortunately, we found no evidence of ‘tranq/fentanyl’ trafficking. Unfortunately, we discovered that animals were being subject to unsafe surgeries and dogs were being confined in an unhealthy environment. No one should be performing medical procedures on animals without proper training or licensing.”

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue reviewing evidence related to the case.

---

Stay with iSkyNews.com for updates as more information becomes available.

_____

💬 See something we missed?
If you spot an error or have additional information, please reach out: support@iskynews.com

© 2025 iSkyNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, copying, or redistribution of this content is strictly prohibited.

Stay informed. Stay aware.
The Citizen app delivers real-time alerts, local breaking news, and updates that matter most to you — right when you need them.

📲 Join and follow iSkyNews on Citizen: https://go.citizen.com/iskynews

Because the news doesn’t wait, and neither should you.