On 3/9, 42-year-old Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty to five federal charges, including supplying the ketamine that led to the death of Friends star Matthew Perry.

Sangha is scheduled to appear in court later this month and will be sentenced on 10/12. She faces up to 65 years in prison. Due to the plea agreement, prosecutors said they will recommend a sentence less than the maximum.

The plea agreement comes one year after federal prosecutors released a report on Perry's death following a comprehensive investigation.

Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, found the actor dead at his Los Angeles home on 28/10/2023. The medical examiner determined ketamine to be the primary cause of death.

Ketamine is commonly used as an anesthetic in surgery, but is also abused for its hallucinogenic and sedative effects. Prolonged use can lead to addiction. Ketamine is popularly used recreationally, often referred to as "Ke".

Perry, 54, struggled with addiction for years, beginning during his rise to stardom as Chandler Bing in the hit series Friends. The actor underwent over 12 rehab stints costing more than 12 million USD.

Perry used ketamine through a private doctor as a legitimate, though off-label, treatment for depression. He sought more ketamine than his doctor prescribed, which led him to Sangha through an intermediary, Erik Fleming, about two weeks before his death, according to prosecutors.

Fleming texted Iwamasa, saying that Sangha's ketamine was "amazing" and that she only dealt with celebrities and the elite.

Prosecutors stated Perry purchased a large quantity of ketamine from Sangha, including 25 vials for 6,000 USD in cash four days before his death. Sangha boasted it was "high quality" and included ketamine lollipops as a bonus for the large order.

Perry subsequently injected the addictive drug 27 times in just four days, a dosage that proved fatal.

Sangha hesitated when the judge asked if she knew the drugs she gave Fleming would go to Perry. "I can't be 100% certain," she said during the plea hearing. Later, when asked about the ketamine vials given to Fleming, she added, "I don't know if all or some" were given to Perry.

After Perry's death was reported, Sangha texted one of her accomplices to "delete all messages between us," attempting to destroy evidence.

Sangha's lawyer initially claimed she "never met" and "had no connection" to Perry. After Sangha's guilty plea, investigators revealed she was a "major drug supplier" to Hollywood's elite.

Sangha, a dual US and UK citizen, grew up in Calabasas, a wealthy California suburb known for its famous residents, including the Kardashians.

She attended the University of California and earned a master's degree in London. Sangha flaunted a luxurious lifestyle on Instagram, including enjoying caviar in a private jet lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, lavish vacations, and partying with Hollywood figures.

She frequently socialized with celebrities in Los Angeles, including actor Charlie Sheen.

Jasveen Sangha often showed off photos wearing jewelry and designer clothes on her personal Instagram.

The indictment stated Sangha "only dealt with high-end clients and celebrities" and stored drugs at her North Hollywood home. Prosecutors said Sangha presented herself as a drug dealer to wealthy clients and was known by the nickname "Ketamine Queen".

Before her arrest in connection with Perry's death, Sangha was known to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Los Angeles Police Department's homicide unit, and the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) as a "large-scale drug trafficker".

When police raided Sangha's home in 3/2024, they found a large quantity of illegal substances, including 79 doses of ketamine, 1,978 g of methamphetamine, cocaine, and bottles of Xanax (a prescription drug for anxiety disorders).

After seizing Sangha's phone, police found a video of her "cooking" ketamine and conversations relating to the "sale of pressed methamphetamine pills and ketamine".

In one message, she asked a buyer to send "958.51" to her PayPal account in exchange for drugs, noting: "I think you'll like these but keep in mind they are double the strength".

Sangha also admitted to selling four doses of ketamine to Cody McLaury, a man who died of an overdose in 8/2019, hours after their exchange. After McLaury's death, a family member texted Sangha: "The ketamine you sold my brother killed him". She then Googled "can ketamine be listed as cause of death".

Evidence seized at Jasveen Sangha's home. Photo: Mega

Sangha's drug empire, which funded her designer wardrobe and luxury vacations, crumbled after Perry's tragic death was linked to ketamine she supplied.

Those close to her expressed "complete shock" at her arrest for drug trafficking. According to them, Sangha came from a wealthy family and always wore the finest designer clothes.

Interior designer Clancy Carter, who knew Sangha since 2008, said: "She has a very caring family, never wanted for anything. She has property in the UK, always traveling and having fun with her family. I never thought she would do something like this".

On social media, Sangha cultivated a stylish image, attracting many admirers who praised her as "queen," "goddess," and "sexy kitty." She described herself as a "manager" in art, events, and music, and graduated from Hult International Business School in London with a master's degree in 2010.

Carter said that through her marketing and event planning work, Sangha gained access to ultra-wealthy clients and celebrities, attending award ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

Jasveen Sangha continued to post pictures of traveling by private jet until her arrest. Photo: Instagram

In 11/2023, two weeks after Perry's death, Sangha was seen sipping martinis at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Tokyo, where suite prices are nearly 1,500 GBP per night.

Four months later, in 2/2024, she sunbathed by the pool at a beachfront resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and shared selfies while drinking cocktails.

A few days before her arrest, Sangha celebrated her 41st birthday at a Hollywood bar with friends. No one was aware of the impending police raid or the charges hanging over her.

Just hours before her arrest, she showed off a new hairstyle with purple and pink highlights.

Four accomplices arrested with Sangha include two doctors, Salvador Plascencia and Mark Chavez, intermediary Erik Fleming, and Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. All five have admitted their roles in Perry's overdose death.

Tue Anh (according to AP, The Sun)