In a major move targeting the global fentanyl crisis, the United States has revoked the visas of several Indian businesspersons and their families, citing their involvement in trafficking precursors used to manufacture the powerful synthetic opioid. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed Thursday that future visa applications from these individuals and company executives would also be denied.
“Individuals and organisations involved in the illegal production and trafficking of drugs to the United States will, with their families, face consequences that may include being denied access to the US,” the embassy said in a statement, underscoring Washington’s “steadfast” commitment to tackling drug trafficking.
The embassy also expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its cooperation in addressing what it called a “shared challenge,” stressing that only joint efforts can curb the transnational flow of illicit drugs.
Fentanyl, a drug 50 times stronger than heroin, has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. In 2024 alone, it was linked to over 48,000 overdose deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The drug can be fatal in doses as small as two milligrams.
The crackdown comes against a backdrop of heightened U.S. action on fentanyl trafficking. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, demanding greater efforts to curb the drug’s flow into the U.S.