The US embassy in India has revoked and denied visas of some Indian business executives and corporate leaders over their alleged involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors.
Fentanyl precursors are chemicals used to produce a synthetic opioid that has been a leading cause of overdose deaths in the US.
The embassy said in a statement on Thursday that "these individuals and close family members may be ineligible for travel" to the US. It also said it would subject executives connected with companies known to have trafficked fentanyl precursors to heightened scrutiny if they applied for visas.
The embassy did not name those affected, but confirmed they were Indian nationals.
"The US embassy in New Delhi is committed to fighting illicit drug trafficking," said chargé d'affaires Jorgan Andrews. Those involved, and their families, may face "consequences that may include being denied access to the United States".
