Indian Firm Founder Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Precursor Scheme

Bhavesh Lathiya admitted to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. in a landmark case targeting overseas drug supply chains.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:39am

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An Indian chemical supplier named Bhavesh Lathiya has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to playing a key role in the illegal fentanyl supply chain. Lathiya, the founder of Surat-based Raxuter Chemicals, admitted to distributing and smuggling more than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl, which he knowingly supplied to buyers in the U.S. and Mexico despite understanding their intended use in producing the highly addictive synthetic opioid.

Why it matters

This case marks the first felony conviction of an India-based supplier of fentanyl precursor chemicals, and is part of a broader U.S. effort to disrupt the global supply chain feeding the fentanyl crisis, which remains the deadliest drug threat in the country. Mexican drug trafficking groups have increasingly relied on precursor chemicals sourced from companies operating in countries like India and China.

The details

Lathiya and his company allegedly used international mail and shipping services to move the chemicals across borders, mislabeling packages and falsifying customs declarations to avoid detection. In one instance, a shipment sent to New York was declared as Vitamin C but was later identified as 1-boc-4-piperidone, a controlled precursor used in fentanyl production. Undercover operations also led to the charges, with Lathiya agreeing in 2024 to sell 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone to a Homeland Security Investigations undercover officer and suggesting disguising the shipment as an antacid.

  • In October 2024, Lathiya communicated with a Homeland Security Investigations undercover officer about supplying large quantities of precursor chemicals.
  • In November 2024, a package containing 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone was shipped from Lathiya's company to New York with false labeling.
  • On April 3, 2026, Lathiya pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court.

The players

Bhavesh Lathiya

The founder and leader of Surat-based Raxuter Chemicals, who pleaded guilty to distributing and smuggling fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States.

Raxuter Chemicals

An Indian chemical supply company founded and led by Bhavesh Lathiya, which sold and shipped more than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl.

Homeland Security Investigations

A U.S. federal law enforcement agency that led the investigation into Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals, conducting undercover operations that led to the charges.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York

The prosecutors handling the case against Lathiya and Raxuter Chemicals.

Pamela K. Chen

The federal judge who presided over Lathiya's case in the Brooklyn federal court.

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What’s next

Lathiya faces up to 40 years in prison at his sentencing hearing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the global nature of the fentanyl crisis, with criminal networks sourcing precursor chemicals from overseas suppliers to fuel the production and distribution of this highly potent and deadly synthetic opioid. It underscores the importance of international cooperation and law enforcement efforts to disrupt these illicit supply chains and hold foreign-based enablers accountable.