US Intel Report Connects India to Fentanyl Trade Amidst Tariff Pressure

The USA has identified India, alongside China, as a "state actor" in facilitating the direct & indirect supply of precursor chemicals for the illegal production of fentanyl by criminal organizations. 

Fentanyl, along with other synthetic opioids, is the most dangerous drug trafficked into the United States which is responsible for over 52,000 American deaths in the 12 months ending in October 2024, according to the Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) of the US intelligence community, released on Tuesday.

"These groups [transnational criminal organisations or TCOs] are often enabled, both directly and indirectly, by state actors, such as China and India, as sources of precursors and equipment for drug traffickers," the report published by the office of Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), stated.

"China remains the primary source country for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment, followed by India," it added further.

Moreover, this marks the first time the US has ranked India on the same level as China regarding the supply of precursor chemicals used by drug cartels to produce opioids like fentanyl. Last year’s report only mentioned India as one of the many countries from which Mexican groups were sourcing chemicals, but to a "lesser extent," with China identified as the main supplier.

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