Jasveen Sangha sentenced to 15 years in Matthew Perry ketamine supply case

WASHINGTON: Jasveen Sangha, the woman dubbed the ‘Ketamine Queen’ by US media, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for supplying ketamine to Friends actor Matthew Perry before his death, according to reports.

Sangha was one of five people charged in connection with Perry’s death from a ketamine overdose in October 2023. She had pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges related to the distribution of ketamine.

US prosecutors said Sangha operated what they described as a drug-selling network from her residence in North Hollywood. Authorities alleged that she supplied Perry with ketamine through intermediaries in the period leading up to his death.

Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit television sitcom Friends, was found dead at his home in Los Angeles in October 2023. He was 54. The actor had spoken publicly in the past about his struggles with addiction.

According to prosecutors, Sangha sold Perry the dose of ketamine that caused his fatal overdose. The case drew widespread attention because of Perry’s celebrity status and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Several others were also charged as part of the investigation. Among them was Perry’s personal assistant, who admitted helping obtain ketamine for the actor. A doctor and another individual also entered guilty pleas in the case, while another physician was charged separately.

US authorities said the investigation examined how Perry was able to obtain large quantities of ketamine outside legitimate medical channels. Prosecutors argued that those involved sought to profit from Perry’s addiction issues.

During the proceedings, the case highlighted text messages and other communications presented by investigators as evidence of the drug transactions. Prosecutors said these exchanges showed efforts to arrange ketamine sales and deliveries.

Sangha’s sentencing marks one of the most significant developments in the criminal case stemming from Perry’s death. The broader investigation into the network of suppliers and facilitators has resulted in multiple prosecutions.

Perry’s death prompted renewed attention in the United States on ketamine misuse and on the role of illegal suppliers in cases involving substance dependency. The legal proceedings have focused on accountability for those accused of providing the drug outside authorised treatment settings.