Chemical Executive Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Precursor Smuggling

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Monday, 6 April 2026

Bhavesh Lathiya, founder of India-based Raxuter Chemicals, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals. This marks the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier. Lathiya illegally sold over 50 pounds of vital chemicals, using deceptive practices like mislabeling, to the US and Mexico, knowing they would be used for fentanyl production. He faces up to 40 years, underscoring intense government efforts against the deadly drug.

Bhavesh Lathiya, the founder and leader of India-based Raxuter Chemicals, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to charges of distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. This conviction is a significant milestone, marking the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier involved in the fentanyl trade. Lathiya's company was responsible for illegally selling and smuggling more than 50 pounds of chemicals essential for manufacturing fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine, and a leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.Lathiya supplied these precursor chemicals to entities in the United States and Mexico, fully aware of their intended use in fentanyl production. To evade detection and interception at borders, he employed sophisticated deceptive practices, including mislabeling packages and falsifying customs forms. For instance, a shipment from Raxuter Chemicals in June 2024, falsely declared as Vitamin C, actually contained 1-boc-4-piperidone, a Schedule I fentanyl precursor. Similarly, in November 2024, a 20-kilogram shipment of the same chemical was mislabeled as an antacid after Lathiya discussed sales with an HSI undercover officer. This prosecution is part of a broader Homeland Security Task Force initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, following similar indictments against Chinese chemical companies. Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison.