India Assists US in Major Crackdown on Illegal Drug Trafficking
Joint probe dismantles India-linked criminal syndicate accused of running illegal online pharmacies and supplying diverted medicines across the United States.
Us, Feb 05 : The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Thursday said it worked closely with Indian law enforcement agencies to track and dismantle transnational criminal groups involved in illegal drug distribution.
In coordination with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, authorities seized more than 200 website domains allegedly connected to an India based network operating within the United States. Investigators believe the organisation was linked to at least six fatal overdoses and four non-fatal cases.
The syndicate, suspected of running unlawful online pharmacies, has been under scrutiny by the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division since 2022. Enforcement actions launched on January 27, 2026, resulted in the arrest of four individuals, while regulators issued five Immediate Suspension Orders and one Order to Show Cause to safeguard public health.
Officials said the accused operators shipped controlled medications without legitimate prescriptions, breaching the Controlled Substances Act, which strictly governs the dispensing and distribution of such drugs. The law mandates that pharmacies release regulated substances only against valid prescriptions issued for genuine medical needs.
During the probe, authorities identified thousands of customers who had purchased medicines through the illicit platforms. More than 20,000 letters have since been sent to individuals seeking information to support the ongoing investigation.
The DEA emphasised that international cooperation remains crucial in disrupting sophisticated drug networks and preventing unsafe pharmaceuticals from reaching consumers.
