‘Fentanyl Is Killing Americans': FBI Chief Says It Starts With China And Passes Through India
New Delhi, Washington D.C.: When the new boss of America's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, sat down with Joe Rogan for an episode of his ultra-popular podcast, he did not hold back. He was neither cryptic nor vague. He dropped bombs that echo across borders.
'I literally just got off the phone with the Indian government. I said, I need your help,' he said.
It was a warning wrapped in urgency. A man raised by Gujarati immigrants, now helming the FBI, calling on India – not out of courtesy but necessity.
Patel painted a sharp picture. The United States is drowning in fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that killed over 74,000 Americans in 2023 alone. But the drug does not only appear on American streets. It travels. And India, he says, has found itself in the middle of a dirty global route – a China-linked fentanyl supply chain.
'They are going to places like India, and I am also doing operations in India. They are having the Mexican cartels now make this fentanyl down in Mexico still,' he revealed.
"I just got off the phone with the Indian govt. I told them I need their help," FBI Director Kash Patel tells Joe Rogan on fighting America's drugs crisis pic.twitter.com/YTotUg2m0N — Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) June 10, 2025
India is not using fentanyl, but it is being used. 'You don't hear fentanyl deaths in India. You don't really hear fentanyl deaths in England, Australia, New Zealand or Five Eyes partners in Canada. The CCP have used it as a directed approach because we are their adversary,' Patel told Rogan.
That is a bold claim and a chilling one. China's not after cash, Patel said, it is after chaos. 'They are not making a ton of money off it. So it is really just for that purpose,' he insisted.
That purpose? '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 cop or become a teacher?' he asked.
It is not just America's southern border in play anymore. The supply chain, Patel says, is morphing, heading north.
'They are flying it into Vancouver. They are taking the precursors up to Canada, manufacturing it up there and doing their global distribution routes from up there because we were being so effective down south,' he claimed.
India's role is not passive anymore. The FBI is in. Patel says American agents are working directly on Indian soil, hand-in-hand with top Indian law enforcement.
'We are going to find these companies that buy it, and we are going to shut them down. We are going to sanction them. We are going to arrest them where we can. We are going to indict them in America if we can. We are going to indict them in India if we can,' he claimed.
For India, this cooperation is a new test. For Patel, it is personal. His Indian heritage is not only a footnote in his resume. It is a cornerstone of his drive to forge serious ties with New Delhi.
The fentanyl crisis may be global. But is it targeted? That is the question Patel raised and one that stunned many listeners. He believes the drug is not merely a public health emergency. It is a 'tier one national security threat'. And he is asking Five Eyes allies, including India, to act before it is too late.
'The fentanyl itself is not being deployed into your country, but it is there being manufactured. The CCP just has not directed it at you yet, and they know that,' Patel warned.
With no public response yet from Indian or Chinese officials, Patel's words still hang in the air. But one thing is clear: India just became a frontline partner in America's war on fentanyl.
And this war may be a lot more geopolitical than we thought.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran FM Araghchi issues warning to Trump after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites
Published on Jun 22, 2025 07:16 PM IST Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a fiery address condemning the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear sites, calling the strikes 'outrageous' and warning of 'everlasting consequences' for American actions. Araghchi accused the U.S. of violating international law and the UN Charter, asserting Iran's right to defend its sovereignty by all means necessary. The speech came after President Trump announced successful strikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Watch for more
Scroll.in
27 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
How the Israel-Iran conflict could impact India
On June 13, the Israeli military began striking what it claimed were nuclear targets and other sites in Iran, with the aim of stalling Tehran's nuclear programme. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel. The official toll in Iran is at least 430 so far, while at least 25 persons have died in Israel. The continued exchange of fire has led to concerns of a wider regional conflict that the United States could get drawn into. Washington is an ally of Israel and acts as a guarantor of the country's security. Tehran has rejected US President Donald Trump's demand for an ' unconditional surrender ' and vowed to fight back. The prevailing uncertainty has led to a spike in global oil prices. The price of benchmark Brent crude had jumped to $78 per barrel by Thursday from $69 per barrel on June 12, the day before the conflict began. But the spike was not because of Israeli military's strikes reportedly on the Shahran oil depot in Tehran and one of Iran's largest refineries in Shahr Rey. These actions have little impact on Iranian energy exports. Instead, the spike in prices primarily stem from concerns about the possible blocking of the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict. The closure could threaten global energy security. The chokepoint The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterbody that connects the Gulf to the Arabian Sea. In 2024, an average 20 million barrels of oil was transported through the strait every day. That was about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption. This makes the Strait of Hormuz one of the most strategically important chokepoints. Iran has in the past threatened to block the waterbody in retaliation to pressure from the West. On Sunday, the Iranian Parliament decided that the Strait of Hormuz should be closed, state-run Press TV quoted lawmaker Major General Kowsari as saying. The final decision will be taken by the Supreme National Security Council, the member of the parliamentary national security commission added. Unlike other chokepoints such as the Suez Canal or the Strait of Malacca, there is no practical alternative for fuel supplies to bypass the Strait of Hormuz in large volumes. Cargo ships are already sailing closer to the Omani coast and have been advised by maritime agencies and governments to avoid Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Wednesday. An attempt to shutter the strait will not go unchallenged because of the regional powers' strategic interest in keeping fuel supply open. But the ensuing military confrontation may still disrupt supplies to some extent. India's interest When Tel Aviv and Tehran last exchanged missile fire in October, former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri had told Scroll that if the conflict escalated and became an all-out war, Iran, feeling threatened, had the capacity to block the Strait of Hormuz. In that case, New Delhi will be staring at a scenario that will 'directly impact India's energy security', he had said. 'A very large chunk of India's energy supplies come from there and that could really be serious for us,' explained Suri, who served as India's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. 'It's in our interest that it doesn't get out of hand.' India consumes 5.5 million barrels of crude per day for refining. Of this, 1.5 million barrels come through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. If the strait gets blocked, Amena Bakr, the head of Middle East and OPEC+ insights at analytics firm Kpler, told CNBC International on June 13 that oil prices could jump to three-digits. To put the impact of such a scenario into context: a spike of every $10 per barrel drives up inflation in India by about 0.5%, financial services company Morgan Stanley had estimated in April 2024. But Puri told NDTV that closing the strait was not in Iran's own interest. Yet, he said, India remained comfortably placed to meet its fuel needs, adding that New Delhi can tap into alternative supplies if needed. Here is a summary of the week's other top stories. Countering Trump's claims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told United States President Donald Trump that India will never accept mediation to resolve tensions with Pakistan. The topic came up during a phone call when Trump asked for the details about India's military strikes – codenamed Operation Sindoor – on Pakistan in May, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Trump was told that India had agreed to the ceasefire only on Islamabad's request, said Misri. The 'halt to military action was directly between India and Pakistan', the foreign secretary quoted Modi as having reiterated. The call between the two leaders came against the backdrop of the US president repeatedly claiming that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan. New Delhi has rejected Trump's assertions. , writes Rohan Venkataramakrishnan A thaw in relations. India and Canada agreed to reinstate high commissioners in each other's capitals. This was announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit. Other diplomatic steps 'to restore stability in the relationship' will 'follow in due course', said New Delhi. In October, New Delhi and Ottawa expelled several diplomats amid frosty bilateral relations. Ties between India and Canada strained in September 2023 after Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister at the time, told his country's Parliament that intelligence agencies were actively pursuing 'credible allegations' tying agents of the Indian government to the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. New Delhi has rejected Canada's allegations. The language debate. Opposition leaders criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for saying that those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that English was 'not a barrier, but a bridge', adding that the language provides employment and boosts people's self-confidence. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi said to Shah that 'the only thing to be ashamed of is imposing your will on the people and trying to destroy the pluralism of India'. Shah's comment on Thursday came against the backdrop of several state governments and regional parties accusing the Union government of imposing Hindi through the National Education Policy's three-language formula. Also on Scroll this week for a curated selection of the news that matters throughout the day, and a round-up of major developments in India and around the world every evening. What you won't get: spam.
Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US joins Israel against Iran; Tehran says Trump ‘betrayed' diplomacy
Jun 22, 2025 07:16 PM IST The US military joined Israel in its bombing campaign against Iran, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities early on Sunday, a move that many thought still had a week to go. US President Donald Trump warned after the US strikes that if Iran chose to retaliate then it will be met with a "greater force" than Sunday's attack. (AFP/Reuters) The US used B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs to attack the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Following the strikes on Iran, US President Donald Trump urged Iran to "agree to end this war". Follow Iran Israel war live updates Trump noted that any retaliation from Iran against the US will "be met with force far greater than what was witnessed" on Sunday. Israel-Iran conflict & US strikes | Top points US has betrayed diplomacy: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran 'strongly condemns' the US attacks on its nuclear sites as a "violation of international law". He held Washington to be "responsible" for the consequences of its act of aggression. Araghchi added that US President Donald Trump did not just betray Iran but "deceived his own nation". The Iranian foreign minister said the US "betrayed diplomacy and negotiations", adding that it is irrelevant to ask Tehran to return to diplomacy. According to him, Washington only understands the language of threat and force. Araghchi affirmed that the US crossed a "very big red line" by attacking Iranian nuclear sites. ALSO READ | US B-2 bombers flew 37 hours non-stop, refueling mid-air to hit Iran nuclear sites US strikes in coordination with Israeli army: The American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were carried out 'in coordination' with the Israeli military, said the army's spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, adding that they were still assessing damage at the nuclear sites. Iran diplomat to meet Putin on Monday: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that he will travel to Moscow later on Sunday and will hold "serious considerations" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions,' he said about Iran-Russia ties. Moscow expressed strong condemnation of the US bombing in Iran, calling the attacks "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". India's PM Modi expresses 'deep concern': Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday and expressed 'deep concern' over the escalating tensions in the Middle East region. In a post on X, PM Modi said he reiterated India's call for "immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability". US joined attacks after Israel's 'incompetence': Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said that the American strikes on Iran's nuclear sites show that the US was the "main driver" behind the Israeli strikes. He added that Washington joined Israel's bombing campaign after witnessing the country's "incompetence". ALSO READ | Donald Trump gave Iran two weeks, struck in two days. Here's why the US President didn't wait Iran says IAEA paved way to aggression: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and its chief, Rafael Grossi, "paved the way to this aggression" of US strikes on Iran. He also called on the IAEA board of governors to condemn the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran mulls closure of Strait of Hormuz: Amid the escalating tensions with Israel and the additional conflict of US strikes on Iran, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was asked about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He responded, saying that "a variety of options are available to Iran". The Strait, located between Iran and Oman, and links the Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south, is the passage for around one-fifth of the world's total oil consumption. Britain notified of US strikes in advance: British cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News that the UK, as a key ally, was notified in advance of the US strikes on Iran. He said, "Whilst the British government, the UK, has not been involved in these attacks, we have been making extensive preparations for all eventualities." Reynolds further stated that the government was working on how to take care of British citizens as well as its military bases, personnel, and infrastructure in the Middle East region. ALSO READ | Satellite images show trail of destruction at Iran's Fordo nuclear site after US strike Israel took down Iran's 2 F-5 fighter jets: Israel said that it took out two of Iran's F-5 fighter jets, adding that it hit the aircraft at the Dezful airport. The F-5s are part of Iran's ageing fleet of fighter jets. Previously, Israel hit F-14 Tomcats flown by the Iranian military in the war. However, Iran has not acknowledged the losses of aircraft or other material in the war so far. Iran fires biggest ballistic missile at Israel: Following the US strikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran said that it fired one of its biggest ballistic missiles targeting Israel. Iranian state TV showed what seemed like previous test-firing footage of the Khorramshahr-4 missile, with an on-screen caption that it was used on Sunday's barrage on Israel. The ballistic missile has the heaviest payload of Iran's fleet. The missile has a 2,000-kilometre range with a 1,500-kilogram warhead. (With inputs from agencies)
