FBI Director Kash Patel said the U.S. is working with India to shut down a China-linked fentanyl trafficking network. He spoke during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

Although India is not a fentanyl consumer, Patel pointed out that it is becoming a key transit hub for chemicals from China headed to Mexican drug cartels. “They’re going to places like India, and I’m also doing operations in India,” said Patel. “They’re having the Mexican cartels now make this fentanyl down in Mexico still.”

China Avoids Detection Using India

Patel accused Chinese suppliers of using India as a cover to avoid direct scrutiny. He said this tactic is part of a deliberate strategy by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to target American youth. “You don’t hear fentanyl deaths in India... or Five Eyes partners in Canada,” he said. “The CCP have used it as a directed approach because we are their adversary.” “Why don’t we go and take out generations of young men and women... who might grow up to serve in the United States military... or become a teacher?” he added.

FBI and India Coordinate Closely

Patel said the FBI has direct lines of contact with Indian agencies. “I literally just got off the phone with the Indian government,” he shared. “I said, I need your help. This stuff’s coming into your country and then they’re moving it from your country.”

He also confirmed that joint crackdowns are already underway. “We’re going to find these companies... and shut them down,” he said.
“We’re going to sanction them, arrest them where we can, and indict them in the U.S. or India.”

U.S. Charges Indian Firms

According to the Times of India, U.S. indictments have named several Indian chemical manufacturers.

• Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited and two of its senior officials allegedly tried to ship four metric tons of NPP (a fentanyl ingredient) to the U.S. and Mexico.

• Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt Ltd also face charges for sending similar precursors.

Personal and Strategic Ties With India

Patel, the son of Gujarati immigrants, emphasized his strong ties to India. “India is not the problem,” he said. “But if we don’t get ahead of it, it could become one.”

Drug Cartels Shift Operations to Canada

Patel warned that cartels are adapting by using Vancouver, Canada as a new trafficking route. “They’re flying it into Vancouver,” he noted. “They’re taking the precursors up to Canada... and doing global distribution from there.”

China's Motive Is Strategic, Not Economic

Patel said China’s involvement in the fentanyl trade is not profit-driven. “They’re not making a ton of money off it,” he explained.
“So it’s really just for that purpose.” He warned that precursors are already present in other allied countries. “The fentanyl itself isn’t being deployed into your country... but it’s there being manufactured,” Patel stated. “The CCP just hasn’t directed it at you yet.”

Fentanyl Crisis: A National Security Threat

Patel revealed that synthetic opioids killed over 74,000 Americans in 2023. He called the fentanyl issue a “tier one national security threat.”