Two pharmaceutical companies based in India, Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals, have been charged with criminal conspiracy to distribute and import chemicals into the U.S., Mexico, and other countries for the production of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The charges were announced by the U.S. District Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Bhavesh Lathiya, a senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, was also indicted on similar charges and was arrested in New York City. Prosecutors allege that the companies engaged in deceptive practices to smuggle materials necessary for fentanyl production, including mislabeling packages, falsifying customs forms, and making false declarations at border crossings.
