LAKELAND, FL – February 27, 2026 – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 35-year-old Ashley Wimbrow following the execution of a search warrant at a residence on North Socrum Loop Road in unincorporated Lakeland.
The investigation began after U.S. Customs intercepted a package in New York containing Xylazine, shipped from India and addressed to the Lakeland residence. The package held eight boxes labeled “Xylaxine,” with glass bottles containing a total of 240 grams of liquid Xylazine.
Xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” is a veterinary sedative often mixed with fentanyl in street drug sales.
On February 26, 2026, detectives served the search warrant and interviewed Wimbrow. She stated she was involved in dog breeding and used Xylazine to sedate dogs for surgical procedures performed for monetary compensation, charging fees of $10 to $100 based on the animal’s size and procedure type. She reported performing these surgeries for about one year, including tail docking (shortening the tail) and ear cropping (to make ears stand upright).
Wimbrow admitted she has never held a license to practice veterinary medicine and was unaware a license was required. Authorities confirmed she possessed no valid veterinary license in Florida.
During the search, deputies observed five “pocket bully” dogs (smaller than standard pit bulls) confined in separate uncleaned crates containing fresh and dried feces and urine puddles. The room had a strong ammonia odor.
Wimbrow signed a form transferring custody of the dogs to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The animals were transported to Polk County Animal Control for medical evaluation. No evidence indicated involvement in dogfighting. The dogs will eventually be available for adoption through a reputable animal rescue organization.
Wimbrow was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance (Felony 3)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor 1)
- Animal neglect by confining dogs to crates without wholesome exchange of air (Misdemeanor 1)
- Practicing veterinary medicine without a valid active license (Felony 3)
The case was a joint investigation involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa office of Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated: “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.”
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
