NYC Gazette

Two Indian chemical companies, Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., along with Bhavesh Lathiya, a senior executive at Raxuter Chemicals, have been indicted on charges related to distributing fentanyl precursor chemicals in the United States. The indictments were unsealed recently, and Lathiya was arrested in New York City on January 4. He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo for the Eastern District of New York and ordered detained pending trial.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "The Justice Department is targeting every link in fentanyl trafficking supply chains that span countries and continents and too often end in tragedy in the United States." He further alleged that the companies conspired to distribute these chemicals from India to both the United States and Mexico.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas emphasized the role of overseas actors in the crisis: "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."

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York added, "Our efforts to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain are being fought on many fronts," highlighting their commitment to prosecuting those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic.

Fentanyl is recognized as a significant drug threat due to its potency—approximately 50 times more potent than heroin—and its status as a Schedule II controlled substance.

The charges against Raxuter Chemicals include conspiracy to distribute listed chemicals, smuggling, and other offenses. Athos Chemicals faces similar charges. The indictments allege that these companies supplied precursor chemicals knowing they would be used for manufacturing fentanyl, employing deceptive practices such as mislabeling packages.

One incident detailed involved a package shipped by Raxuter Chemicals on June 29, 2024, which falsely declared its contents as Vitamin C but contained 1-boc-4-piperidone—a List I chemical used in fentanyl production.

In October 2024, Lathiya allegedly discussed selling precursor chemicals with an undercover officer from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), proposing methods like mislabeling shipments as antacids.

Additionally, Athos Chemicals reportedly agreed to sell a substantial quantity of precursors to a known trafficker linked with Mexican cartels.

If convicted, Lathiya could face up to 53 years in prison. The case was investigated by HSI New York with assistance from various federal agencies.

An indictment remains an allegation until proven otherwise in court.