A Conyers man is headed to federal prison for more than 14 years after selling a powdery street mix that killed one person and seriously injured another, authorities said. The case is the latest flashpoint in growing concern over xylazine, or “tranq,” being cut into fentanyl and turning already-risky overdoses into something far more brutal and harder to reverse.
According to Atlanta News First, 39-year-old Masi Lenard Fears pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A federal judge sentenced him to 14 years, one month and 15 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
How prosecutors say the sale unfolded
Federal prosecutors say the case traces back to a March 2021 meetup at a Conyers gas station, where Fears sold two men a $20 packet they believed was cocaine or heroin. Lab testing later showed the powder was actually fentanyl mixed with xylazine, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia said.
One man died after using the drug, while the other suffered serious injuries. Conyers police identified Fears as the seller during their investigation, according to prosecutors. When officers arrested him, authorities say they also found Fears carrying a loaded handgun.
Why "tranq" is especially dangerous
The Drug Enforcement Administration has warned that xylazine is increasingly turning up in the illegal fentanyl supply. In a 2023 Public Safety Alert, the agency said roughly 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized in 2022 contained xylazine.
Because xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer, naloxone may not fully reverse its effects, even when it helps with the fentanyl component. Mixes of fentanyl and xylazine have been tied to more deadly and medically complicated overdoses, and the DEA has urged more public awareness along with stepped-up investigations into how the drug is spreading.
“Selling lethal drugs disguised as something less dangerous is not just criminal, it’s deadly,” Jae W. Chung, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, said, according to Atlanta News First. Prosecutors said Fears’ sentence reflects the damage caused when lethal mixtures are passed off as familiar street drugs.
Legal picture and investigation
Fears was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Forsyth handled the prosecution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Officials said the case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Conyers Police Department.
Local impact and prevention efforts
Local reporting cited state health data showing xylazine-related deaths in Georgia rose sharply between 2020 and 2022, and public-health officials have repeatedly warned residents about the drug's spread, WRDW reported. Pharmacies and community groups have been pushing test strips and harm-reduction messaging as “tranq” mixtures become more common on the street.
Prosecutors and public-health officials said Fears’ sentence is one part of broader efforts to hold dealers accountable and slow the flow of adulterated fentanyl that puts users and first responders at risk. Conyers police and federal partners said the case underscores how a single small packet can carry deadly consequences.
