Jasveen Sangha, known on the streets of North Hollywood as the “Ketamine Queen”, was sentenced this Wednesday (8) to serve 15 years in prison. The decision, handed down by a federal court in Los Angeles, puts an end to one of the most critical chapters of the investigation that linked the drug distribution network to the death of actor Matthew Perry, the eternal Chandler Bing of “Friends”, which occurred in October 2023.
Sangha had admitted guilt last year to five serious crimes, including the distribution of ketamine that resulted in death and the maintenance of a location intended for trafficking. Although the maximum sentence provided was up to 65 years, prosecutors asked for 15 years, arguing that the sanction would be proportional to her responsibility in the chain of events that culminated in the actor’s death. The defense requested that only the time already served in custody since August 2024 be considered, but the judge followed the prosecutor’s recommendation, emphasizing the need for a strict punishment. In addition to Sangha, other individuals involved in the case were also sentenced: Dr. Salvador Plasencia received 30 months in prison for four counts of illegal distribution; Kenneth Iwamasa and Erik Fleming, Perry’s personal assistants and intermediate suppliers, are still awaiting sentencing. Lisa Kudrow, who returned to watch the series, remarked that she still laughs like the first time, while Perry’s mother recalls the last moments of her son, found lifeless in his hot tub. The toxicology report indicated drowning aggravated by the effects of ketamine and the presence of opioids, revealing that the actor, who had been battling addiction for decades, was targeted by a network of doctors and traffickers who exploited his addiction for financial profit.
The case reignites the debate about the role of health authorities and the fight against the trafficking of controlled substances.
