A drug investigation surrounding the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry has resulted in five arrests this morning. The US Department of Justice announced in a press conference that a complex criminal network took advantage of Perry’s vulnerability by supplying him with ketamine. The network involved a live-in assistant, several intermediaries, two doctors, and a major drug source known as ‘The Ketamine Queen.’

Image: UNSW

The Defendants Exploited Perry’s Addiction

US Attorney Martin Estrada highlighted that the defendants exploited Perry’s addiction issues for financial gain, showing a blatant disregard for his well-being. Doctor Salvador Plasencia and drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha, also known as The Ketamine Queen, were identified as the key figures in the case. They collaborated with another doctor, Perry’s assistant, and a broker to provide ketamine to the actor.

These individuals distributed 20 vials of ketamine to Perry in exchange for a substantial sum of money. Revelations from text messages indicated that Plasencia and his cohorts callously profited from Perry’s addiction, with Plasencia injecting Perry with illegal ketamine at one point.

The doctors charged Perry exorbitant prices for the drug, exploiting his dependency for financial gain. As Perry’s addiction deepened, he resorted to purchasing ketamine from street dealers, ultimately resulting in his fatal overdose. Sangha, The Ketamine Queen, instructed one of the defendants to delete incriminating messages after Perry’s death.

The DEA described Sangha’s residence as a drug-selling hub, where various illicit substances were found. Administrator Anne Milgram condemned the exploitation of Perry’s vulnerability by unscrupulous medical professionals and street dealers.

Consequences of Addiction and Exploitation

Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha face significant prison sentences for their roles in Perry’s death. Perry, who passed away in 2023, was found with ketamine in his system, initially attributed to an accidental overdose. The investigation into the source of the drug in his system continues, shedding light on the dangerous consequences of addiction and exploitation.

Featured image: IMDB