Los Angeles, California: A man of Indian descent from Southern California was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after officials found his luggage filled with clothing soaked in methamphetamine.
Raj Matharu, 31, from Northridge, was attempting to board a flight to Sydney, Australia, on November 6 when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers flagged his checked luggage due to “irregularities” spotted during an X-ray screening. A thorough search revealed over a dozen articles of clothing, including a cow-patterned pajama onesie, covered in a white substance.
November 26, 2024
Tests confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The total weight of the meth-infused clothing amounted to about 71.5 pounds, with over one kilogram of meth residue extracted from the garments.
Matharu was detained on the jet bridge before his flight and taken into custody. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada remarked, “Drug traffickers are constantly finding new ways to smuggle harmful substances in their attempts to make illicit gains – as seen in this case. These actions are poisoning communities worldwide. Law enforcement remains dedicated to combating drug trafficking, as every seizure helps save lives.”
Matharu is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on December 2 for his arraignment. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
