The United States has imposed visa restrictions on 13 individuals linked to an India-based online pharmacy accused of supplying counterfeit prescription drugs laced with fentanyl to American consumers.
The announcement was made by United States Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who stated that the restrictions target people associated with KS International Traders and its owner. According to US authorities, the company allegedly sold fake prescription medicines containing illicit fentanyl to unsuspecting customers in the United States.
The visa restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. US officials said the action is part of ongoing efforts to crack down on international drug trafficking networks connected to fentanyl distribution.
The issue has gained increased attention after former US President Donald Trump previously described fentanyl as a “Weapon of Mass Destruction” under an executive order, highlighting the severity of the opioid crisis in America.
Tommy Pigott said the latest move reflects the shared commitment of both the United States and India to dismantle illegal drug trafficking operations and prevent the spread of dangerous narcotics. He also warned that individuals involved in activities harming Americans would be denied entry into the United States.
The visa restrictions follow earlier sanctions imposed in September last year by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which targeted two Indian nationals — Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh — along with KS International Traders.
According to US authorities, the accused allegedly collaborated with drug trafficking networks operating in the United States and the Dominican Republic to distribute counterfeit pharmaceutical pills mixed with fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and methamphetamine while presenting them as legitimate medicines.
The crackdown on India-linked fentanyl supply chains has continued in recent months. Last month, OFAC also sanctioned pharmaceutical chemical supplier Satishkumar Hareshbhai Sutaria, accusing him of supplying fentanyl precursor chemicals intended for illegal drug production in Mexico and Guatemala.
Authorities alleged that Sutaria worked alongside salesperson Yuktakumari Ashishkumar Modi through India-based firms SR Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals and Agrat Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals to facilitate the transactions. Indian authorities reportedly arrested both individuals in March 2025 as part of the investigation.
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