US imposes visa curbs on 13 linked to entity 'smuggling' fentanyl into America
Alleges the accused online pharmacy sold “hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with illicit fentanyl” to customers in the United States
The United States on Tuesday announced visa restrictions on 13 individuals linked to an India-based entity accused of trafficking illicit fentanyl into America, in a move Washington said reflected the shared commitment of the US and India to dismantle global narcotics networks.
US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the action targeted close business associates of KS International Traders and its owner for their alleged involvement in generating revenue through the trafficking of illicit fentanyl.
The US alleged that the India-based online pharmacy had sold “hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with illicit fentanyl” to customers in the United States. “Illicit fentanyl is killing too many Americans,” Pigott said, describing the trafficking network as one that had devastated families and communities across the US.
The visa restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. The State Department also linked the move to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14367, which designated fentanyl as a “Weapon of Mass Destruction”.
“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,” the statement said.
Washington further warned that individuals found complicit in trafficking activities contributing to the fentanyl crisis would be denied entry into the United States.
The announcement comes amid growing US efforts to crack down on global fentanyl supply chains, which American authorities say increasingly involve transnational criminal networks operating across multiple countries.
The Indian authorities have in recent years intensified coordination with US agencies on narcotics trafficking, particularly involving synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals, amid rising international scrutiny over illegal online pharmaceutical operations.
