Mexico, USA: Two Gujarat-based chemical companies, Athos Chemicals and Raxuter Chemicals, have been indicted in the U.S. for trafficking fentanyl ingredients and conspiring to distribute them. The charges, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 6, allege that the companies imported key fentanyl precursors into the U.S. and Mexico.

Raxuter's senior executive, Bhavesh Lathiya, 36, was also charged with smuggling and introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Lathiya was arrested in New York on January 4 and is being held pending trial. The companies reportedly misled authorities by falsifying shipping documents and mislabeling chemicals. Fentanyl, a potent opioid, is linked to a surge in opioid-related deaths in the U.S. If convicted, Lathiya faces up to 53 years in prison.