An India-based chemical manufacturing company, Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited (VPC), along with three high-ranking employees, has been charged in a federal court in Washington, DC, for allegedly importing precursor chemicals used to produce illicit fentanyl. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced these charges on Thursday, as part of the ongoing crackdown on illegal fentanyl trafficking.
Federal agents arrested two senior officials of VPC in New York City: Tanweer Ahmed Mohamed Hussain Parkar, 63, who serves as the Chief Global Business Officer, and Venkata Naga Madhusudhan Raju Manthena, 48, the company’s Marketing Director. The third individual charged, Krishna Vericharla, 40, a VPC Marketing Representative, remains at large.
What are the charges?
According to the DOJ, all defendants face multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute a listed chemical for unlawful importation into the United States.
- Manufacture and distribution of a controlled substance for unlawful importation.
- Attempted manufacture and distribution of a fentanyl precursor chemical.
If convicted, the individual defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while VPC could be fined up to $500,000 per count.
Illegal fentanyl sale?
The indictment states that VPC actively marketed fentanyl precursor chemicals on its website, promotional materials, and at international trade fairs. From March to November 2024, the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute fentanyl precursor chemicals, knowing that they would be unlawfully imported into the United States for fentanyl production.
On two occasions—March 2024 and August 2024—undercover US agents reportedly purchased 25 kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals from the defendants. Additionally, between August and September 2024, VPC and the undercover agent negotiated a four-metric-tonne purchase of the chemical N-BOC-4P, with two metric tonnes destined for Sinaloa, Mexico, and the other two metric tonnes for the US, at an agreed price of $380,000.
Crackdown on fentanyl imports
Fentanyl, a potent opioid, has been linked to a widespread drug crisis in the US. The Trump administration previously prioritized combating illegal fentanyl imports, even linking the issue to trade policies with certain countries. The latest charges against VPC underscore the federal government’s commitment to curbing the illicit supply chain fueling the opioid epidemic.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities pursuing further actions against individuals and organizations involved in the illicit fentanyl trade.
(With PTI inputs)