Bhavesh Lathiya, founder and leader of Raxuter Chemicals in Surat, India, pleaded guilty on Apr. 3 in federal court in Brooklyn to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. This marks the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier for such offenses. Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen.
The case is significant as it targets a key link in the international fentanyl supply chain, which authorities say has contributed to the opioid epidemic affecting communities across the country. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York handles prosecutions of federal crimes and represents civil matters within its jurisdiction according to its official website.
"The defendant admitted supplying the essential ingredients to make fentanyl, knowing just what they would be used for," said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., who announced the plea with Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. "Our Office is committed to targeting every link in the fentanyl supply chain. We will continue to vigorously prosecute these purveyors of poison, both here and abroad, who are responsible for fueling our nation’s opioid epidemic without any regard for the extreme harm they are causing. The Administration, mindful that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for American ages 18 to 45, has prioritized protecting our communities from this lethal scourge." Nocella also thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for its assistance.
Alfonso said: "Fentanyl has devastated countless families and communities across our country. Homeland Security Investigations is using every available resource to dismantle the drug trafficking networks that smuggle this poison into our country. Today’s landmark plea demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the fentanyl supply chain at every level, both at home and abroad. HSI and its partners will continue to pursue those responsible and will hold the individuals and organizations driving this crisis accountable."
Court filings indicate that Lathiya knowingly supplied precursor chemicals used specifically for manufacturing fentanyl not only within India but also exported them through international mail services—sometimes mislabeling shipments as harmless substances like Vitamin C or antacids—to evade detection by customs officials.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations have increasingly sourced such precursors from companies based in India and China; recent indictments have charged several Chinese chemical companies with similar offenses.
This prosecution falls under initiatives led by a Homeland Security Task Force established by Executive Order 14159 aiming at combating transnational criminal organizations operating domestically or abroad.
The U.S. Attorney's Office operates out of Brooklyn and Central Islip according to its official website, covering Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County as indicated online. Breon Peace currently leads as United States Attorney per their website. The office supports community outreach efforts alongside victim assistance programs as reported officially.
