U.S. visas of Indian executives revoked over ‘drug trafficking’

Months after charging two Indian companies of “criminal conspiracies” to smuggle fentanyl precursors into the United States, the U.S. Embassy on Thursday (September 18, 2025) said that it has revoked and denied visas for “certain” Indian “business executives and corporate leadership”, accusing them of smuggling ingredients that are used in the illegal production of the drug.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said that the “family members” of these business executives would also “face consequences” for the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States.

“In furtherance to the Trump Administration’s efforts to keep Americans safe from dangerous synthetic narcotics, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has revoked and subsequently denied visas for certain business executives and corporate leadership based on involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors,” the U.S. Embassy said in an statement, acknowledging the support received from “counterparts in the Government of India” toward stopping the flow of fentanyl and its precursors.

Families, executives flagged

The Embassy continues to be “steadfast in its commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking”, said U.S. chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews. “Individuals and organizations involved in the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States, along with their families, will face consequences that may include being denied access to the United States,” he added.

The statement did not name the “business executives and corporate leadership”, but added, “The Embassy is further flagging executives connected with companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors for heightened scrutiny if and when they apply for U.S. visas.”

The Embassy announcement follows several U.S. executive orders aimed at combating drug trafficking organisations and demanding “reform by source countries from which illicit drugs and precursor chemicals flow into the United States.”

Criminal conspiracy charges

In January 2025, two Indian companies — Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals — were charged with criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. Bhavesh Lathiya, founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, was arrested in New York on January 4, 2025 for smuggling fentanyl precursors to the United States.

Charging Mr. Lathiya, Raxuter Chemicals, and Surat-based Athos Chemicals with engaging in criminal conspiracies, the U.S. Department of Justice said that fentanyl was the “deadliest drug threat currently facing the United States.” It added: “As alleged in the indictments and court filings the defendants supplied precursor chemicals to the United States and Mexico, among other places, knowing they would be used to manufacture fentanyl. They also sent their chemical products to the United States and Mexico using international mail and package carriers.”

Mr. Lathiya was charged on January 6, 2025, just ahead of the swearing-in of Donald Trump for his second term as the President of the United States. Mr. Trump had made a campaign pledge to crackdown on fentanyl if re-elected.