The glitzy facade of Hollywood often conceals a darker underbelly, a reality starkly brought into the spotlight by the case of Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the ‘Ketamine Queen.’ Her recent plea agreement in connection with the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry has peeled back layers of a clandestine drug network, exposing what law enforcement and medical professionals describe as a ‘Wild West’ of unregulated ketamine distribution within Los Angeles.
The Rise of the ‘Ketamine Queen’
Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old dual US-UK citizen with a seemingly respectable background – a doctor’s daughter from Calabasas with an MBA – cultivated an image of luxury and celebrity connections. Her social media portrayed a jet-setting lifestyle, replete with appearances at high-profile events like the Golden Globes and Oscars. This veneer, however, reportedly masked a prolific drug operation based out of her North Hollywood apartment, which federal prosecutors described as a ‘drug-selling emporium’ or ‘Sangha stash house.’
Authorities, in a March 2024 raid on her residence, discovered a substantial cache of narcotics, including 79 vials of ketamine, approximately two kilos of Xanax, thousands of pills containing methamphetamine and cocaine, and a firearm. These findings underscored the scale of her alleged enterprise, which prosecutors claim she operated since at least June 2019, catering to a clientele that reputedly included celebrities and high-net-worth individuals.
The Matthew Perry Connection
The investigation into Sangha gained intense public attention following the death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023. Perry’s autopsy report cited the ‘acute effects of ketamine’ as the primary cause, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors. While Perry had been undergoing legal ketamine infusion therapy for depression, he reportedly sought greater quantities than his medical providers would supply.
The plea agreement reveals a chain of supply involving Sangha and four other defendants who have also pleaded guilty. According to court documents, Perry began obtaining ketamine from Dr. Salvador Plasencia about a month before his death, then turned to Sangha for additional supply approximately two weeks prior. This illicit access was facilitated through an acquaintance, Erik Fleming, and Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. It is alleged that Iwamasa injected Perry with Sangha’s ketamine multiple times on the day of his passing, including the fatal doses. Notably, Sangha allegedly sold Perry 25 vials of ketamine for $6,000 in cash just four days before his death. Following the news of Perry’s death, Sangha reportedly instructed Fleming to delete their digital communications, an act that raised immediate suspicions among investigators.
Beyond Perry: A Pattern of Lethality
The reach of Sangha’s alleged illicit activities extends beyond the tragic case of Matthew Perry. As part of her plea agreement, she admitted to supplying ketamine to another individual, Cody McLaury, in August 2019, who also died hours later from an overdose. This detail underscores a disturbing pattern of lethal consequences associated with her drug distribution network, highlighting the significant public health implications of unsupervised and unregulated substance availability.
The ‘Wild West’ of Hollywood’s Drug Scene
The Matthew Perry case has cast a harsh spotlight on what a DEA official characterized as the ‘Wild West’ of ketamine usage in Hollywood. Experts and medical toxicologists have voiced concerns over the proliferation of ketamine clinics and online services that offer easy access to the drug, often with inadequate oversight. In this environment, where the demand is high and some physicians operate with questionable practices, the lines between legitimate medical treatment and dangerous illicit distribution blur. The ease with which celebrities can procure controlled substances, sometimes believing them to be safer than other street drugs, further fuels this perilous landscape in Los Angeles.
Legal Ramifications and Broader Implications
Jasveen Sangha has agreed to plead guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She is the last of five defendants implicated in Perry’s death to reach a plea deal, avoiding a protracted trial. Currently in federal custody since August 2024, Sangha faces a maximum sentence of up to 65 years in federal prison, although prosecutors may seek a reduced sentence given her plea. This high-profile case serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive drug challenges that continue to plague even the most glamorous corners of Los Angeles, bringing a critical piece of news to the forefront about the devastating intersection of fame, addiction, and illegal drug trade.
