The United States has imposed visa restrictions on 13 individuals associated with an India-based online pharmacy accused of trafficking counterfeit fentanyl-laced drugs into the country, escalating Washington’s crackdown on global narcotics networks.
According to US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the action targets individuals linked to KS International Traders and its owner. The restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
“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.
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The US government has increasingly identified fentanyl trafficking as a national security concern amid rising overdose deaths linked to synthetic opioids.
US cites fentanyl trafficking and organised networks
Pigott said the action reflects continued cooperation between India and the United States to disrupt international drug trafficking operations.
“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,” he said.
He further added, “Those complicit in poisoning Americans will be denied entry to the United States.”
The US administration has intensified its anti-fentanyl measures in recent years, with President Donald Trump previously describing illicit fentanyl as a “Weapon of Mass Destruction” under an executive order.
According to PTI, US authorities allege that KS International Traders generated revenue through the trafficking of counterfeit pharmaceutical products allegedly laced with fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and methamphetamine.
Earlier sanctions and arrests linked to the case
The latest visa restrictions follow earlier action by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
In September 2024, OFAC sanctioned two Indian nationals, Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, along with KS International Traders, also known as KS Pharmacy.
US authorities alleged that the accused worked with traffickers based in the United States and the Dominican Republic to distribute counterfeit pills falsely marketed as legitimate medicines.
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Last month, OFAC also sanctioned Satishkumar Hareshbhai Sutaria for allegedly supplying precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl. US authorities claimed that Sutaria and salesperson Yuktakumari Ashishkumar Modi facilitated shipments to Mexico and Guatemala through India-based firms SR Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals and Agrat Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals.
According to PTI, Indian authorities arrested Sutaria and Modi in March 2025 in connection with the investigation.
The latest action highlights growing international scrutiny of cross-border synthetic drug supply chains as US agencies continue targeting networks linked to fentanyl production and distribution.
