Bhavesh Lathiya, leader and founder 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 of such chemicals. Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to address the opioid crisis by targeting all links in the fentanyl supply chain. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said, “The defendant admitted supplying the essential ingredients to make fentanyl, knowing just what they would be used for.” Nocella also said, “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.”
Lathiya supplied more than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl and shipped them internationally using deceptive practices such as mislabeling packages and falsifying customs forms. In one instance on June 29, 2024, a package labeled as Vitamin C actually contained a controlled List I chemical intended for illicit drug production.
Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael 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…”
According to court filings presented during proceedings before Judge Pamela K. Chen, Lathiya discussed sales with undercover agents posing as buyers connected with Mexican clients pleased with previous shipments’ quality and yield.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations have increasingly relied on precursors distributed by companies like Raxuter Chemicals based in India or China—a trend reflected by recent indictments against Chinese firms charged with similar offenses.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York operates as both prosecutor’s office and representative for civil matters within its jurisdiction according to its official website; it maintains offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip; covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island as well as Nassau County and Suffolk County; Breon Peace leads it as United States Attorney—all per information available on their official website.
This prosecution forms part of broader Homeland Security Task Force initiatives aiming at eliminating criminal cartels through interagency collaboration involving multiple federal law enforcement agencies.
