A federal court in Brooklyn has sentenced an Indian chemical executive to 54 months in prison for his role in an international operation to smuggle and distribute precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl.
The case marks a significant development in US federal law enforcement efforts, with the Department of Justice describing it as a first-of-its-kind prosecution targeting an overseas supplier for the direct role in the fentanyl supply chain. In addition to the prison term, Judge Pamela K. Chen ordered Lathiya to forfeit $24,560. Authorities have confirmed that Lathiya, who is not a US citizen, will face deportation proceedings once his sentence is served.
Deceptive Shipping and Undercover Operations
Prosecutors detailed a sophisticated scheme in which Lathiya allegedly bypassed customs and law enforcement scrutiny by mislabeling shipments. Court documents reveal that controlled precursor chemicals were frequently disguised as benign products, such as Vitamin C or antacids, and accompanied by falsified documentation to facilitate their entry into the United States and Mexico.
The investigation reached a critical juncture when Lathiya engaged in direct communication with an undercover officer from US Homeland Security Investigations. During video calls conducted in October 2024, the undercover agent informed Lathiya that customers in Mexico had successfully utilized his previous chemical shipments to manufacture fentanyl. Lathiya subsequently agreed to supply an additional 20 kilograms of 1-boc-4-piperidone, a regulated chemical used in the synthesis of the drug, and suggested labeling the shipment as an antacid to avoid detection. The shipment was intercepted in November 2024.
Targeting the Fentanyl Supply Chain
US officials have emphasized the strategic importance of the prosecution, noting that it addresses the fentanyl crisis at its origin point. By targeting the suppliers of raw chemical ingredients, authorities aim to disrupt the production cycle before the final, lethal product reaches the market. US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated that the sentencing serves as a clear warning to international traffickers that they will be held accountable for their contributions to the illicit drug trade.
Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Pete Gizas characterized Lathiya’s actions as a direct threat to public safety, noting that the defendant’s activities placed him at the very beginning of the fentanyl supply chain. The investigation, which culminated in Lathiya’s arrest in New York City in January 2025, highlighted the global nature of the trade, with chemicals originating in India and being funneled into illicit markets across North America.
