Charged with supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry for profit despite his addiction issues, five individuals are now facing legal action, announced US officials on Thursday.
The passing of the popular actor in his Los Angeles residence in 2023 resulted in an outpouring of grief from fans worldwide.
United States Attorney for the Californian central district, Martin Estrada, stated, “These defendants chose to exploit Mr. Perry’s addiction problems for their own financial gain, disregarding the risks posed to his well-being.”
The accused parties include two physicians, Perry’s live-in assistant, a broker, and a North Hollywood dealer known as “the Ketamine Queen,” who was also linked to another overdose death.
Perry, famous for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV series “Friends,” tragically passed away at the age of 54 after being found unresponsive in his pool.
An autopsy revealed that his death was a result of the acute effects of ketamine, a controlled substance he was using as part of supervised therapy as a recovering addict.
– Allegations of Drug Trafficking –
According to Estrada, Perry relapsed into addiction in the fall of 2023 when two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, provided him with ketamine.
Over a two-month period, they sold him 20 vials of the drug for $55,000, with each vial costing as little as $12, Estrada explained.
Plasencia, based in Calabasas, allegedly showed a callous attitude towards Perry’s deteriorating state while continuing to supply him with ketamine.
One disturbing incident involved Plasencia administering ketamine to Perry, causing adverse physical reactions, yet leaving more vials for Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to handle.
Perry also obtained ketamine from a woman nicknamed “the Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, through broker Eric Fleming, including the fatal batch.
Authorities described Sangha’s residence as a hub for drug distribution, containing various substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drugs such as Xanax.
Plasencia, who appeared in court with ankle restraints, denied conspiracy charges related to distributing ketamine and faces a substantial prison sentence if convicted.
Sangha, a dual British-American citizen, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges and was denied bail due to her lavish lifestyle post-Perry’s death.
The other defendants either admitted guilt or agreed to do so, potentially receiving lengthy prison terms.
– Understanding Ketamine and Exploitation –
Ketamine is utilized by medical professionals for anesthesia and has been studied for treating depression, but its recreational use can be addictive and hazardous, particularly for those with underlying health issues.
The renowned TV show “Friends” propelled actors like Matthew Perry to stardom, but behind the glitz, Perry faced a severe battle with addiction to painkillers and alcohol.
Perry’s struggles with substance abuse, detailed in his 2022 memoir, reflect repeated cycles of detoxification and relapse.
DEA chief Anne Milgram highlighted the role of unethical doctors and street dealers in Perry’s tragic downfall, emphasizing the devastating impact of exploitation on individuals battling addiction.
AFP