US imposes visa ban on Indians linked to alleged fentanyl trafficking network
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on the owner and several associates of an India-based online pharmacy accused of trafficking illicit fentanyl-laced drugs into the US.US state department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on Tuesday that visa restrictions were being imposed on 13 individuals associated with KS International Traders and its owner.“The US department of state is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on 13 individuals associated with KS International Traders and its owner, which has sold counterfeit prescriptions laced with illicit fentanyl to unsuspecting Americans in our country,” Pigott said in a statement.According to PTI, the restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
US cites fentanyl trafficking concerns
Pigott said KS International Traders allegedly generated revenue through trafficking illicit fentanyl, which US President Donald Trump designated as a “Weapon of Mass Destruction” under an executive order.“This action underscores the United States’ and India’s enduring and shared commitment to dismantling illicit drug entities and disrupting trafficking networks that harm Americans,” Pigott said.“Those complicit in poisoning Americans will be denied entry to the United States,” he added.
Earlier sanctions against Indian nationals
In September 2024, the US treasury department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Indian nationals, Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, along with KS International Traders, also known as KS Pharmacy.The online pharmacy was allegedly operated by Shaikh.According to the OFAC, the two men allegedly worked with traffickers based in the US and the Dominican Republic to market counterfeit pills as legitimate pharmaceutical products. Authorities said the pills were actually laced with fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and methamphetamine.
More India-linked firms sanctioned
Last month, the OFAC also sanctioned Satishkumar Hareshbhai Sutaria for allegedly trading fentanyl precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl.The US agency alleged that Sutaria, along with salesperson Yuktakumari Ashishkumar Modi, facilitated shipments of precursor chemicals to Mexico and Guatemala.According to PTI, the two allegedly used India-based firms SR Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals and Agrat Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals to carry out the transactions.Indian authorities arrested Sutaria and Modi in March 2025 in connection with the case.
