US denies visas of Indian business executives over fentanyl

The US has revoked and denied visas for “certain business executives and corporate leadership” and their family members, from India on charges of involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors,and denied subsequent re-applications, based on their involvement in trafficking 'precursors' of fentanyl, the synthetic opiod behind a drugs crisis in that country, the American embassy in Delhi said Thursday. though the US embassy declined to identify the affected individuals.It also said the embassy will flag the executive leadership of companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors when they apply for visas. "The US Delhi remains steadfast in its commitment to combating drug trafficking. Individuals and organisations involved in the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States will, with their families, face consequences that may include being denied access to the US," the embassy said.

Stopping the flow of fentanyl and its precursors into the United States is one of our highest priorities. We have revoked visas for company executives and family for the unlawful involvement in controlled substance trafficking, including fentanyl. Those who facilitate the flow of… pic.twitter.com/atWupz7WLG

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) September 18, 2025

In January, the US justice department charged two India-based companies – Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals – and Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, with “criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals” to the US. The US justice department also alleged that the two companies sent chemical products to the US and Mexico using international mail and package carriers. To prevent detection of the chemical products at borders, the companies allegedly used “deceptive and fraudulent practices,” such as mislabelling packages, falsifying customs forms, and making false declarations.