Five arrests have been made in a drug investigation into the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry.
Multiple arrests made in drug investigation into Matthew Perry's death, sources say
The Justice Department said at a news conference Thursday morning that an investigation revealed a “broad underground criminal network,” including Perry’s assistant and doctors, who “took advantage” of the actor by selling him ketamine.
"This network included a live-in aide, several middlemen, two physicians, and a major drug source known as 'The Ketamine Queen,'" said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, who announced the charges. "These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction problems to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing put Mr. Perry in grave danger, but they did it anyway. Ultimately, these defendants were more interested in profiting from Mr. Perry than in looking out for his well-being."
The main suspects in the case are Dr. Salvador Plasencia and drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha. Together, they worked with Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and a "broker" named Erik Fleming to obtain and sell ketamine to Perry, who died on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54. Chavez, Iwamasa, and Fleming have pleaded guilty to various charges.
