Introduction to the Case
A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced Monday to three years behind bars for possessing two suitcases containing more than a dozen clothing items — including a cow pajama onesie — caked in methamphetamine while preparing to board a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Australia.
Raj Matharu, 32, of Northridge, pleaded guilty in June in downtown Los Angeles to one federal count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The Incident at LAX
On Nov. 6, 2024, Matharu planned to travel from Los Angeles to Sydney. He carried with him two suitcases filled with clothing that had been coated with nearly 2.4 pounds of methamphetamine, federal prosecutors said.
After arriving at LAX, Matharu was told his bags were overweight and opened both suitcases to shift items between them — an act captured by airport surveillance cameras. He then successfully checked his luggage containing the meth-soaked clothes, according to his plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court.
Discovery of the Methamphetamine
X-ray screening revealed abnormalities in Matharu’s suitcases, and they were flagged for secondary review. Officers inspected one suitcase and felt stiff clothing. Prosecutors said a K9 unit was called, and Matharu was intercepted by officers after he crossed the jet bridge to board his Australia-bound flight. He was brought to the screening area, where he confirmed the two bags were his and that he packed them himself, court papers show.
Officers opened the bags, finding stiffly dried white clothing caked in a powdery substance, as well as loose white residue on the lining and throughout both cases, all of which tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Laboratory Testing and Plea Agreement
Further extraction of the substance from six of a total of 17 items in the suitcases and additional laboratory testing revealed that those items contained methamphetamine, court papers show.
Matharu admitted in his plea agreement that, at the time he possessed the suitcases, he knew he was transporting methamphetamine or some other federally controlled substance that he intended to distribute in Australia.
Conclusion
The case of Raj Matharu serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and the importance of vigilance at airports. The successful interception of the methamphetamine-soaked clothing highlights the effectiveness of airport security measures and the collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
FAQs
- What was Raj Matharu sentenced to?
- Raj Matharu was sentenced to three years behind bars.
- What was found in Matharu’s suitcases?
- Matharu’s suitcases contained clothing caked in methamphetamine, including a cow pajama onesie.
- How much methamphetamine was found in the suitcases?
- Nearly 2.4 pounds of methamphetamine was found in the suitcases.
- Where was Matharu headed when he was intercepted?
- Matharu was headed to Sydney, Australia, when he was intercepted by officers at LAX.
