Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Gujarat businessman sentenced in US fentanyl chemical smuggling case
Bhavesh Lathiya was a businessman from Gujarat, India.
He ran a company called Raxuter Chemicals in Surat.
The company sent chemicals to customers in the United States and Mexico.
More than 50 pounds of these chemicals can be used to make fentanyl.
Prosecutors said Lathiya knew what the chemicals would be used for.
He admitted to smuggling and distributing them.
A US judge sentenced him to 54 months in prison.
He must also forfeit $24,560 and will be deported after prison.
US District Judge Pamela K Chen sentenced Bhavesh Lathiya to 54 months in prison.
Lathiya pleaded guilty in April to smuggling and distributing fentanyl precursor chemicals.
His Surat-based company, Raxuter Chemicals, supplied more than 50 pounds of chemicals to buyers in the US and Mexico.
Court filings said Lathiya knew the chemicals would be used to manufacture fentanyl.
He must forfeit $24,560 and will be deported after completing his prison sentence.
- Who
- Bhavesh Lathiya, founder and leader of Surat-based Raxuter Chemicals, was sentenced by US District Judge Pamela K Chen.
- What
- Lathiya was sentenced for smuggling and distributing chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl.
- When
- He pleaded guilty in April; the articles do not specify the sentencing date.
- Where
- The case was handled in the United States and involved Lathiya’s company in Surat, Gujarat, with buyers in the United States and Mexico.
- Why
- Prosecutors said Lathiya knew the chemicals would be used to manufacture fentanyl.
- Sentence
- 54 months in US prison
- Defendant
- Bhavesh Lathiya, 37
- Company
- Raxuter Chemicals, based in Surat
- Chemicals supplied
- More than 50 pounds of chemicals commonly used to manufacture fentanyl
- Destinations
- The United States and Mexico
- Forfeiture
- $24,560
- Post-prison action
- Lathiya will be deported after completing his sentence