A drug dealer’s elaborate ketamine operation brought down a beloved American actor, and now she faces 15 years behind bars in a case that exposes the deadly consequences of unchecked illegal drug trafficking in our communities.
Story Snapshot
- Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen,” was sentenced to 15 years for supplying ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry in October 2023
- Sangha operated a multi-year drug network from her North Hollywood home, dealing ketamine, cocaine, and methamphetamine to fund her lifestyle
- Perry received 50 vials of ketamine in two deliveries before his death, with his assistant administering 6-8 injections daily from Sangha’s supply
- This case marks the third conviction among five defendants, setting a precedent for federal “distribution resulting in death” charges in overdose cases
Drug Dealer’s Network Exposed in Celebrity Overdose
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Jasveen Sangha to 15 years in federal prison on April 8, 2026, for her role in supplying the ketamine that killed Friends star Matthew Perry.
Sangha, a 43-year-old British-American dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” pleaded guilty in August 2025 to five federal charges, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Prosecutors described her operation as elaborate and profit-driven, funding an affluent lifestyle through years of illegal drug sales from her North Hollywood residence.
Fatal Timeline and Network Structure
Perry received 25 vials of ketamine on October 14, 2023, followed by another 25 vials on October 24, delivered through middleman Cody Fleming who served as the connection between Sangha and Perry’s circle. Perry’s personal assistant administered the drug 6-8 times daily until the actor died from a fatal dose on October 27-28, 2023
Sangha’s network operated hierarchically, with her as the primary supplier using intermediaries to reach high-profile clients while maintaining distance from direct transactions. Federal investigators traced the lethal drugs directly back to Sangha’s operation.
Prior Death and Pattern of Reckless Distribution
This wasn’t Sangha’s first connection to a fatal overdose. In 2019, she sold four vials of ketamine to Cody McLaury, who died from an overdose hours after the purchase. Despite this previous death, Sangha continued her illegal operation for years, demonstrating a pattern of reckless disregard for human life in pursuit of profit.
Prosecutors dropped unrelated methamphetamine and ketamine charges as part of her plea agreement, though she faced a maximum sentence of approximately 60 years. The substantial sentence reflects the gravity of her actions and serves as a warning to others profiting from deadly drug distribution.
Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling the ketamine that killed Matthew Perry in 2023.
She pleaded guilty last year to five federal charges tied to his death and has been in federal custody since her 2024 arrest.… pic.twitter.com/RU7iBR17kI
— Variety (@Variety) April 8, 2026
Justice Delivered Despite Defense Arguments
Sangha’s attorney, Mark Arages, requested time served—nearly two years of pretrial detention—arguing his client had battled addiction herself and shown genuine remorse. In her court statement, Sangha declared, “I take full responsibility… Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what I have done.”
However, prosecutors successfully argued for the 15-year term, emphasizing her elaborate operation and the devastating impact on Perry’s family. Perry’s sister delivered emotional testimony against Sangha during sentencing. Two defendants, including Perry’s assistant who administered the fatal injection, await sentencing later this month as the case reaches its conclusion.
Broader Implications for Drug Enforcement
This case establishes critical precedent for federal prosecution of dealers whose products cause death, particularly as ketamine abuse rises nationwide. While ketamine serves legitimate medical purposes for depression treatment, it remains a Schedule III controlled substance that proves lethal in high doses when abused recreationally.
The successful prosecution sends a clear message that dealers will face serious federal consequences when their illegal operations result in fatalities. For communities grappling with addiction crises, this case demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to holding suppliers accountable rather than treating these deaths as mere accidents.
The Perry family gains some measure of closure, though two years of legal proceedings cannot restore what Sangha’s criminal enterprise took from them.
