In Hollywood, she was known as the “Queen of Ketamine,” according to the prosecution. But when Jasveen Sangha appeared in court for selling the bottle of psychotropic drug that caused the death of the actor of Friends Matthew Perry, there’s nothing majestic about her.
The 41-year-old British-American sported a worn Nirvana sweater, baggy jogging pants and dyed purple hair outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Thursday.
The prosecution portrays her as a jet-setter, regularly on the road to satisfy her party-girl desires. If prosecutors can prove that she supplied the star of Friendsshe could spend the rest of her life in prison.
Found unconscious in his jacuzzi in October 2023, Matthew Perry died of an overdose of ketamine. An anesthetic that can help against depression, but which can also be diverted for stimulating or euphoric purposes.
In addition to Jasveen Sangha, four people are being prosecuted: Matthew Perry’s personal assistant, an intermediary and two doctors accused of knowingly exploiting his addiction by calling him a “moron,” according to text messages.
But among the accused, it is the profile of this alleged dealer that reveals the dark side of Hollywood glamour.
Fan of Scarface
During a search of Jasveen Sangha’s home, investigators found 80 vials of ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, vials of Xanax and other illegally obtained medications.
When it comes to ketamine, she boasts that she can “fulfil any order,” according to the investigation, thanks to her connections with a “chef” and a “scientist.”
“She only handles high-end and celebrities,” the sued middleman wrote to Matthew Perry’s personal assistant. “If it wasn’t good stuff, she’d lose her business.”
On her website, she appears at a party with actor Charlie Sheen (Wall Street, Platoon), a celebrity whose addiction problems are widely documented.
The dealer also ran a website dedicated to the history of the mafia, where she professes her passion for films such as The Godfather And The Scarred One (Scarface(VF of Scarface).
Her Instagram account shows her flashy travels, sometimes in private jets. She struts around in Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, Louis Vuitton heels and Chanel clothes, occasionally nibbling on a plate of caviar.
This bling-bling lifestyle was apparently financed by a poverty-stricken business, based on the addiction of deep-pocketed drug addicts like Matthew Perry.
Ketamine Lollipops
According to the investigation, she allegedly sold dozens of doses of ketamine to the star, in unmarked bottles.
She also offered him a sample so he could test the merchandise before purchasing. And the last batch she provided him came with a little gift: ketamine lollipops.
According to the prosecution, the dealer immediately tried to cover up after the death of the star of Friends. “Delete all our messages,” she orders her intermediary.
Two weeks later, she is in Tokyo, posting photos of herself smiling in a kimono on social media.
Jasveen Sangha has made a dozen trips abroad since the actor’s death, including to Mexico and the Caribbean, prosecutors said, prompting the judge who heard her not guilty plea Thursday to keep the dual national in custody until her trial to prevent any risk of flight.
She is due to be tried in October, as is the other main defendant in the case, Salvador Plasencia. The doctor, suspected of having injected and sold ketamine to Matthew Perry, has also pleaded not guilty.
The other three defendants have agreed to plead guilty and face sentences of up to 10 or 25 years in prison.