Archive · 25 Sep 2025
US Sanctions Indian Nationals for Fentanyl Pill Trafficking
The US government is taking action against two Indian citizens and an online pharmacy for selling fake pills containing fentanyl and other drugs.
These counterfeit pills were sold as medicine in the US and Dominican Republic.
Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, along with KS International Traders, allegedly used encrypted messaging to sell the pills.
The US is concerned because fentanyl has caused many deaths.
The individuals were previously charged with narcotics-related crimes, and the online pharmacy was also involved in illegal activities.
The US sanctioned Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh for distributing counterfeit pills with fentanyl.
KS International Traders, an India-based online pharmacy, was also sanctioned.
The counterfeit pills were sold in the US and Dominican Republic.
Sayyed and Shaikh allegedly used encrypted platforms to sell the pills.
Both were indicted in September 2024 on narcotics-related charges.
- Who
- US Treasury, Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed, Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, KS International Traders
- What
- Sanctions imposed on two Indian nationals and an online pharmacy for distributing fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills
- When
- September 2024 (Indictment); September 2025 (Sanctions)
- Where
- United States, India, Dominican Republic
- Why
- To combat the opioid crisis and fentanyl distribution
US Government
Accused Individuals
Sanctions Justification
US Government
The US views the sanctions as a necessary step to combat the fentanyl crisis.
Accused Individuals
The individuals affected would likely view the sanctions as damaging to their business and personal freedom.
- Action
- US Treasury sanctions
- Individuals Sanctioned
- Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed, Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh
- Company Sanctioned
- KS International Traders (online pharmacy)
- Offense
- Supplying fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills
- Location of Pharmacy
- India
- Charges
- Narcotics-related
- Alias
- Rakesh Sharma (Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed)
Sources
US sanctions 2 Indian nationals, online pharmacy for supplying fentanyl-laden pills. Know their modus operandi
Revoking visas
US treasury sanctions two Indians, online pharmacy for supplying fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills
2 Indians Sanctioned By US For Selling Fake Pills Filled With Fentanyl
US sanctions two Indians for trafficking fentanyl, other illicit drugs
