Bhavesh Lathiya, 41, of Surat, India, pleaded guilty today to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals, a significant blow to the US drug trafficking pipeline.
According to court documents, Lathiya was the founder and leader of Raxuter Chemicals, a company based in Surat, India, that illicitly sold and smuggled over 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl.
This guilty plea marks the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier of fentanyl precursor chemicals, a major victory for US law enforcement agencies.
Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen in federal court in Brooklyn, NY.
Lathiya’s guilty plea stems from an investigation conducted by the US Department of Justice, USAO, in collaboration with international partners.
When sentenced, Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison, a harsh punishment for his role in fueling the US opioid epidemic.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂÂ
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