Ketamine Queen’s Deadly Empire Exposed

Federal prosecutors demand 15 years behind bars for the so-called “Ketamine Queen” who supplied the drugs that killed beloved “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, exposing a callous drug trafficking operation that put profits over human lives and continued dealing even after multiple deaths.

Story Highlights

Jasveen Sangha faces 15-year sentence for supplying ketamine that killed Matthew Perry in October 2023 and operating a high-volume drug trafficking business from her North Hollywood home
Prosecutors reveal Sangha continued dealing after her ketamine killed Cody McLaury in 2019, showing “cold and callous disregard for life” while targeting high-end celebrity clients
Five defendants including two doctors pleaded guilty in the network that supplied Perry with 51 vials of ketamine, with Sangha ordering evidence deletion immediately after his death
The case highlights how medical professionals and dealers exploited Perry’s depression treatment needs, diverting a legal anesthetic into a deadly black market operation

Drug Dealer’s Network Supplied Fatal Ketamine to Struggling Actor

Jasveen Sangha, 42, operated a sophisticated drug trafficking business from her North Hollywood residence since at least 2019, distributing ketamine and methamphetamine to high-end clients including celebrities. Federal prosecutors filed sentencing documents recommending 15 years in prison after Sangha pleaded guilty to five federal charges, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death. The network supplied 51 vials of ketamine to Perry through middleman Erik Fleming and Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa in October 2023. Iwamasa injected Perry at least three times on October 28, 2023, causing his death at his Pacific Palisades home.

Pattern of Death and Cover-Up Spans Years

Sangha’s lethal dealing began years before Perry’s death. In August 2019, she sold four vials of ketamine to Cody McLaury, who died from an overdose just hours after the purchase. Despite knowing her product caused McLaury’s death, Sangha continued operations without interruption, prosecutors revealed. After Perry’s death became public, Sangha immediately instructed Fleming to delete their communications and updated her Signal app to automatically delete messages. This cover-up attempt demonstrates a calculating criminal who prioritized concealing evidence over acknowledging the deadly consequences of her actions.

Medical Professionals Enabled Celebrity Drug Pipeline

The case exposed how licensed medical professionals participated in the illegal supply chain. Doctor Salvador Plasencia from a Calabasas clinic initially supplied ketamine to Iwamasa despite clear addiction warnings, receiving a 2.5-year sentence in July 2025 after pleading guilty and surrendering his medical license. Perry had pursued ketamine legally for depression treatment but sought illicit supplies when prescriptions proved insufficient. Fleming described sourcing “amazing” ketamine from Sangha specifically for “high end and celebs,” with supplies escalating to 25 vials for $6,000 cash just four days before Perry’s death. This network prioritized profit over patient safety.

Justice System Confronts Hollywood’s Addiction Crisis

All five defendants in the network pleaded guilty by September 2025, avoiding trial and providing closure for Perry’s family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, who attended court proceedings. Prosecutors emphasized Sangha “chose profits over people,” warranting significant punishment to deter similar operations that exploit vulnerable individuals struggling with addiction. The defense requested only time served since Sangha’s August 2024 arrest, but federal authorities argue the pattern of deaths and continued dealing after known fatalities demands accountability. This case highlights the dangerous intersection of celebrity culture, mental health treatment gaps, and criminal exploitation.

Broader Implications for Ketamine Regulation and Oversight

The case raises urgent questions about ketamine’s dual role as both a legitimate depression treatment and an increasingly diverted street drug. Federal authorities face pressure to strengthen controls on ketamine distribution while maintaining access for patients with legitimate medical needs. The involvement of licensed physicians surrendering their credentials demonstrates how professional oversight failures enable black market operations. Perry’s death spotlights how Hollywood’s addiction culture intersects with inadequate mental health resources, pushing desperate individuals toward dangerous illicit sources. Long-term implications include heightened scrutiny of off-label ketamine prescribing and potential regulatory reforms to prevent similar tragedies.