The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on two Indian businessmen—Sadiq Abbas Habib Syed and Khizar Mohammed Iqbal Sheikh—and an online pharmacy, KS International Traders, for supplying counterfeit drugs to the United States.

These businessmen allegedly sold fake prescription pills containing deadly chemicals like fentanyl through online platforms and encrypted messaging apps. Consumers believed they were buying legitimate medication, putting many lives at risk.

Reason for Action

• The US has blocked all financial transactions and assets of Syed and Sheikh.

• No American citizen or institution is allowed to conduct business with them.

• This move comes amid a rise in overdose deaths in the US due to fentanyl.

Background

• Khizar Sheikh: Born in Mumbai, 1991.

• Sadiq Syed: Born in 1985.

• Both faced serious drug charges in 2024; a federal grand jury indicted them.

• The Trump administration has been taking stricter action against drug trafficking, including intercepting shipments from Venezuela, a known route for illegal drugs.

The US authorities emphasized that networks distributing counterfeit drugs are a serious threat, especially to younger populations, and will not be tolerated.