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Fentanyl Precursor Smuggling Rocks Brooklyn
Bhavesh Lathiya, 45, a high-ranking executive at Indian chemical company Raxuter Chemicals, has pleaded guilty to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States.
According to court documents, Lathiya’s company, based in Surat, India, sold and smuggled over 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year.
The guilty plea marks the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier of fentanyl precursor chemicals, a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against the global opioid epidemic.
When sentenced, Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison, a harsh penalty for a crime that has ravaged communities across the country.
Lathiya’s crimes were uncovered through a multi-agency investigation led by the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the New York City Police Department.
Raxuter Chemicals’ illicit activities were not limited to the United States. The company’s operations were also linked to other countries, highlighting the global scope of the fentanyl crisis.
The guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement and a testament to the determination of those working to dismantle the supply chain of deadly fentanyl precursor chemicals.
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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