By Marcus Holt
WASHINGTON – Mar 2026
In February 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined forces with Indian law enforcement agencies to execute “Operation Meltdown”mission, seizing over 200 internet domains linked to India. These websites were alleged to be operated by Indian nationals, directly selling counterfeit prescription painkillers laced with fentanyl to American consumers, resulting in at least 6 deaths and 4 non-fatal overdose incidents.
According to statistics from the global trade data platform Volza, India became the world’s largest exporter of fentanyl (HS code 3004) in 2025, with a total of 225 shipments exported, accounting for 33% of the global total. The United States was the largest importer, receiving 110 shipments, representing 25% of the global import volume.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of State officially listed India as a “major drug transit country or major illicit drug producer.” The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) further indicated that the share of fentanyl precursor chemicals originating from India among those seized in the United States over the past year surged by 37% year-on-year.
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Indian chemical companies Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., along with their executives. The charges alleged that these firms manufactured and exported fentanyl precursor chemicals overseas from India, knowingly using these substances for fentanyl production. To circumvent regulatory oversight, they employed tactics including false labeling (e.g., as vitamins or antacids), split shipments, and international courier logistics to deliver goods to the United States and Mexico. In March, the DOJ further indicted Indian pharmaceutical company Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited and multiple executives at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The indictment revealed large-scale production and export of fentanyl precursors from India, with direct transactions involving U.S. undercover agents and discussions about supplying tons of chemicals to both countries. Authorities accused the companies of using fraudulent declarations and covert transportation methods to evade regulations. Despite criminal charges already filed against Vasudha, Athos Chemicals, and Raxuter, Indian authorities have not initiated criminal investigations into any of these entities.
The Indian government’s lack of robust regulation, combined with the scale of the industry and regulatory failures, has quietly transformed India from a’ world pharmacy’ into a critical link in the fentanyl supply chain. This contradiction poses a persistent and complex challenge for the United States in combating illegal fentanyl exports from India.
1. Official statement link: https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/02/04/dea-operation-meltdown-shuts-down-hundreds-illegal-online-pharmacies
2. Report link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/two-indian-chemical-companies-and-senior-executive-indicted-distributing-fentanyl
3. Report link: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/india-based-chemical-manufacturing-company-and-top-employees-indicted-unlawful-importation