Thu Sep 18 18:02:16 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**U.S. Revokes Visas of Indian Business Executives Over Fentanyl Precursor Smuggling**

**NEW DELHI, September 18, 2025** – The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi announced today it has revoked and denied visas for certain Indian business executives and corporate leaders, along with their family members, accused of involvement in smuggling fentanyl precursors into the United States. The move comes months after two Indian companies, Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals, were charged with criminal conspiracies related to the distribution and importation of these chemicals.

According to a statement released by the embassy, the action aims to combat illicit drug trafficking and follows U.S. executive orders demanding reform from countries from which illicit drugs and precursors originate. The embassy acknowledged the support of the Indian government in stopping the flow of fentanyl and its precursors.

U.S. chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews emphasized the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking, stating that individuals and organizations involved, along with their families, will face consequences, including being denied access to the United States. While the embassy statement did not name the individuals affected, it indicated that executives connected with companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors will face heightened scrutiny when applying for U.S. visas.

In January 2025, Bhavesh Lathiya, founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, was arrested in New York for allegedly smuggling fentanyl precursors. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Lathiya, Raxuter Chemicals, and Athos Chemicals with engaging in criminal conspiracies, highlighting fentanyl as the “deadliest drug threat” facing the U.S. authorities have alleged that the companies supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl.

The action comes after President Trump pledged to crack down on fentanyl during his re-election campaign.

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