Investigation Reveals Underground Drug Network
Two physicians and Perry’s assistant among five people are charged with the drug-related death of actor Matthew Perry. Starting in May, the inquiry has revealed a sizable underground network engaged in ketamine distribution. In October, Perry, 54, passed away in his Los Angeles house. Determined to be the leading cause of his death, a post-mortem analysis revealed a shockingly high ketamine content in his blood.
Charges and Allegations
Prosecutors claim the defendants used Perry’s drug problems for personal benefit. A U.S. Attorney said, “These defendants enriched themselves by leveraging Mr. Perry’s addiction problems.” “They did it even though they knew they were putting Mr. Perry in extreme danger.” According to the indictment, Perry’s aide Kenneth Iwamasa, along with two doctors, participated in a sophisticated drug-buying operation supplying Perry with over $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks preceding his death.
Guilty Pleas and Recent Arrests
Perry’s assistant, among three of the five people, had already admitted guilt to drug-related charges. Two more suspects, a doctor and a lady known as “The Ketamine Queen,” were just taken into custody. Sometimes used to treat depression, anxiety, and pain, ketamine is a potent anaesthetic. Perry had ketamine infusion treatment, although his final session had taken place more than a week before his death. The medical examiner suggested the medicine was abused since the ketamine levels discovered in Perry’s system were far more significant than what would be expected after treatment.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The federal indictment describes a complex plot supposedly behind Perry’s killing. Prosecutors claim Iwamasa gave Perry plenty of ketamine under the direction of Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Accused of providing ketamine “outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose,” 42-year-old Dr. Plasencia texted, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” Plasencia clearly showed a flagrant disrespect for Perry’s safety. The indictment also claims that Plasencia instructed Iwamasa to use ketamine without following correct safety procedures. Though Plasencia had previously advised against high dosages, Iwamasa allegedly injected at most minuscule 27 ketamine in the four days before Perry’s death.
Additional Defendants and Legal Proceedings
The other defendants in this lawsuit are Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Mark Chavez. Sangha reportedly gave Plasencia ketamine under the direction of Erik Fleming and Dr. Chavez. Sangha and Dr. Plasencia pleaded not guilty at their first court appearances, whereas Dr. Chavez, Fleming, and Iwamasa confessed. Plasencia received a $100,000 bail; Sangha was directed to be kept without bond. October is booked for both trials.
Allegations of Cover-Up
Prosecutors assert that following Perry’s death, the defendants tried to hide their activities. While Plasencia is suspected of fabricating medical records, Sangha instructed another suspect to “delete all our messages.” Perry’s death was declared an accident, with drowning listed as a contributing cause, along with coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medicine used to treat opioid use disorder.
Perry's Battle with Addiction
Perry battled alcohol and painkiller addiction at the height of his fame, which resulted in several trips to recovery. His book Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing chronicles his protracted struggle with drug usage. Perry acknowledged not remembering three years of Friends shooting because of his addiction. Though he had multiple therapy sessions, his memoir notes that he had been essentially sober since 2001, with “about 60 or 70 mishaps” since then.
