U.S. Revokes and denies Visas to Indian Executives Linked to fentanyl Precursor Smuggling
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi announced on Thursday, September 18, 2025, that it has revoked and denied visas to certain Indian business executives and corporate leaders accused of involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors – the ingredients used to illegally manufacture the opioid fentanyl. The action is part of the Trump ManagementS ongoing efforts to combat the influx of synthetic narcotics into the United States.
According to a statement released by the embassy, family members of these individuals may also face consequences related to the illegal drug production and trafficking. The Embassy acknowledged receiving support from the Indian government in efforts to halt the flow of fentanyl and its precursors.
U.S. chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews emphasized the commitment to fighting illicit drug trafficking, stating that individuals and organizations involved, along with their families, could be denied access to the United States.While the Embassy did not publicly name the specific executives or companies targeted, it indicated that individuals connected to companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors will face heightened scrutiny during future U.S. visa applications.
This declaration follows a series of U.S. executive orders aimed at combating drug trafficking organizations and pushing for “reform by source countries” from which illicit drugs and precursor chemicals originate.
The visa actions stem from earlier criminal charges filed in January 2025 against two Indian companies, Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals, for alleged criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. Bhavesh Lathiya, founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, was arrested in New York on January 4, 2025, on charges related to smuggling these precursors.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated at the time that fentanyl represents the “deadliest drug threat currently facing the United States,” and that the defendants allegedly supplied precursor chemicals knowing they would be used in fentanyl manufacturing, utilizing international mail and package carriers to ship the products to the U.S. and Mexico. The charges against Mr. Lathiya were filed shortly before Donald Trump’s second inauguration, following a campaign pledge to aggressively address the fentanyl crisis.