Los Angeles – Sentencing for Ketamine Dealer Linked to Matthew Perry’s Death

A dealer dubbed the “Queen of Ketamine,” who provided the drug that contributed to the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, is set to receive her sentence in a California court on Wednesday.

Jasveen Sangha, having pled guilty to multiple charges, including distributing ketamine that resulted in death or serious injury, could potentially face over 60 years in prison.

Currently, Sangha, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and the U.K., has been in federal custody since August 2024.

The 42-year-old is among five individuals found guilty in connection with Perry’s death. The actor had openly struggled with drug addiction for many years.

Perry, who was 54, was discovered deceased in the hot tub of his Los Angeles residence in October 2023. An autopsy indicated he had high concentrations of ketamine in his system.

This tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief from “Friends” fans of all ages and initiated a police investigation that uncovered a network of suppliers and enablers. This included a doctor who profited from the distress of someone they were supposed to assist.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who admitted to four counts of ketamine distribution leading up to Perry’s death, was sentenced to 30 months in prison last year.

Another physician, Mark Chavez, was put under home confinement and mandated to complete several hundred hours of community service.

Plasencia obtained ketamine from Chavez and sold it to Perry at a significantly inflated price, even joking in a text, “I wonder how much this idiot will pay.”

Prosecutors claimed Perry, battling addiction, paid over $2,000 for each vial of ketamine, with his dealer covering part of the cost.

Sangha was involved with an intermediary, Eric Fleming, in selling 51 vials of ketamine to Kenneth Iwamasa, who was Perry’s live-in personal assistant.

Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine, administering the drug provided by Sangha at least three times on October 28, 2023, leading to Perry’s death.

Upon learning about Perry’s death, Sangha attempted to erase her digital communication, instructing Fleming, “Please delete all of our messages.”

A search of Sangha’s home in North Hollywood revealed not just ketamine but methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, counterfeit Xanax pills, as well as money counting machines and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Both Iwamasa and Fleming are due for sentencing later this month.

Sangha pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of ketamine distribution, and one count of distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

She also acknowledged selling four vials of ketamine to 33-year-old Kody McCrory in August 2019, who unfortunately died from an overdose shortly thereafter.

Her attorney, Mark Geragos, stated that Sangha accepts responsibility for her actions.

Perry had been using ketamine as part of a managed treatment plan for depression. However, before his untimely death, he had reportedly developed an addiction to the substance, which is commonly known for its use as a party drug and anesthetic with psychedelic effects.

The show “Friends” revolves around the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood and has garnered a massive following, elevating previously lesser-known actors to stardom.

Perry’s portrayal of the sarcastic Chandler Bing brought him considerable wealth but also concealed a harrowing battle with painkiller and alcohol addiction.

He suffered a drug-related colon rupture in 2018, undergoing multiple surgeries as a result.

In his 2022 memoir, he noted that he had gone through detox numerous times, saying, “I’ve been mostly sober since 2001, save for about 60 or 70 minor mishaps.”