Two Indian chemical companies and a senior executive have been indicted for their alleged involvement in distributing fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. The indictments, unsealed at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn, charge Raxuter Chemicals, Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., and Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, with criminal conspiracies related to the distribution and importation of these chemicals.
Lathiya was arrested on January 4, 2025, in New York City and has been ordered detained pending trial by United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.
The announcement was made by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General; and Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security Secretary.
Breon Peace stated that "Our efforts to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain are being fought on many fronts," emphasizing the seriousness of the charges against the companies and their executive for distributing "the chemical building blocks of fentanyl."
Attorney General Garland highlighted that "The Justice Department is targeting every link in fentanyl trafficking supply chains that span countries and continents." He asserted that those responsible would be held accountable.
DHS Secretary Mayorkas remarked on the significant impact of illicit fentanyl originating from overseas actors: "Much of our nation’s illicit fentanyl crisis can be traced to bad actors overseas who knowingly and illegally traffic precursor chemicals to North America."
Fentanyl is described as a highly addictive synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin or morphine. It poses a severe threat in the United States due to its potency.
The defendants allegedly supplied precursor chemicals knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. They reportedly employed deceptive practices such as mislabeling packages to avoid detection at borders.
For instance, Raxuter Chemicals allegedly shipped a package labeled as Vitamin C containing 1-boc-4-piperidone—a List I chemical used in fentanyl synthesis—to an address in New York. Lathiya is also accused of discussing sales with an undercover officer where he agreed to sell large quantities of this chemical while proposing false labeling strategies.
Athos Chemicals is similarly charged with agreeing to sell significant amounts of 1-boc-4-piperidone to known drug traffickers linked with Mexican cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel.
These charges remain allegations until proven guilty. If convicted on all counts, Lathiya could face up to 53 years in prison.
The prosecution is managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Amir, William P. Campos, Chand Edwards-Balfour with Paralegal Specialist Samuel Ronchetti's assistance under the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.