Who is drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as 'The Ketamine Queen', charged in Friends star Matthew Perry's death?

The Friends star died of a ketamine overdose in October last year.

Sangha, 41, dubbed as 'The Ketamine Queen', is among the five people charged with the death of the actor.

According to the US Attorney's Office released statement, Sanga is charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

"The superseding indictment alleges that Sangha’s distribution of ketamine on October 24, 2023, caused Perry’s death," the statement said.

Sangha and her old history with ketamine supply

Before Matthew Perry's death due to an overdose of ketamine, Sangha's name was not widely known.

However, her involvement in illegal activities is not new.

In August 2019, Sangha, who is reported to have dual British and American citizenship, sold ketamine to victim Cody McLaury in the hours before his overdose death.

Cody McLaury was a 33-year-old Alaskan man who had lived in Los Angeles.

After a family member of McLaury’s sent Sangha a text message saying that her ketamine had killed McLaury, Sangha conducted a Google search for “can ketamine be listed as a cause of death [?]”

"The superseding indictment alleges that Sangha nonetheless continued to sell ketamine from her stash house," read the statement.

Prosecutors told ABC News she became known as the "Ketamine Queen" for allegedly selling drugs out of a North Hollywood property known as the "Sangha Stash House" since at least 2019.

Detective found a large amount of drugs in Sanga's residence

After Perry’s death, federal agents and detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department executed search warrants at Sangha’s residence, where they found evidence of drug trafficking, including approximately 79 vials of ketamine, approximately 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds) of orange pills containing methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, and prescription drugs that appeared to be fraudulently obtained.

If convicted of all charges, Sangha would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Matthew Perry, who is best remembered for his powerful performance in the American TV series Friends,  was found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a medicine used by doctors and vets as a pain killer and a sedative. It stops your brain from interpreting pain messages. It’s being studied as a medicine for depression, read the health direct website.

It’s also used illegally for its hallucinogenic ‘high’ effect. If bought illegally, it comes as a white powder that can be made into tablets or dissolved into a clear liquid, the website said.