Five arrested in Matthew Perry’s overdose investigation including dealer known as Ketamine Queen

Five people, including two doctors, an assistant and an alleged dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” have been arrested in connection with the death of Matthew Perry.

The suspects were arrested on Thursday amid allegations they were part of a “vast underground criminal network” that supplied the Friends star with the ketamine he died from in October 2023.

Doctors Salvador Plascencia, 42, and Mark Chavez, 54, alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, 41, also known as the “Ketamine Queen,” Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, and drug dealer Eric Fleming, 54, have all been charged.

Prosecutors say the group took advantage of the vulnerable star’s addiction problems, calling him an “idiot” in cruel texts as they discussed how they could further exploit him.

Perry was found unconscious in the hot tub of his LA home last year and was later diagnosed as having died from “acute effects of ketamine.”

Jasveen Sangha, 41, is better known as the “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood. Prosecutors say she is the kingpin of a “wide underground criminal network” that supplied the Friends star with the ketamine that killed him in October 2023

Prosecutors say Sangha’s distribution of the substance on October 4, 2023, led to his death.

An explosive indictment has been filed alleging that the group made tens of thousands of dollars by selling the drugs to the troubled star.

In one instance, they charged Perry $2,000 for a vial of ketamine that cost $12 after he became increasingly desperate to obtain the drug, the documents show.

The indictment alleges that the two suspects conspired to supply Perry. Plascencia insists he wants to be the star’s “go to” for the narcotic.

In one message, prosecutors allege Plasencia texted Chavez asking, “I wonder how much this idiot will pay,” referring to Perry.

The suspects include 42-year-old doctor Salvador Plascencia, who is accused of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Perry’s former assistant Kenneth Iwamasa was also charged and admitted to administering the lethal dose of ketamine that killed the Friends actor

Sangha and Plasencia have been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Sangha is also accused of running a drug shop. About 79 bottles of ketamine were found in her home, as well as more than 1.5 kilograms of pills and prescription drugs.

Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.

The other three suspects have been charged separately and have pleaded guilty.

Fleming, of Hawthorne, admitted that he obtained the ketamine from Sangha and supplied it to Iwamasa. Iwamasa admitted to administering it to the star, despite the fact that he had no medical training.

Jasveen Sangha, 41, also known as the “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood, is also charged. Detectives said they discovered a “drug emporium” in her home during a raid in March 2024

Prosecutors say Sangha’s distribution of ketamine led to Perry’s death on October 4, 2023

Meanwhile, San Diego doctor Chavez admitted in his plea agreement that he diverted supplies from his clinic to Plascencia by writing false prescriptions.

“These defendants were more concerned with making a profit from Mr. Perry’s business than with looking after his well-being,” said District Attorney Martin Estrada.

“Drug dealers who sell dangerous substances gamble with the lives of others out of greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug dealers who cause death, sends a clear message that we will hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”

If Sangha is found guilty on all charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.

The indictment alleges that the defendants sold Perry a vial of ketamine priced at $12 for $2,000 as he became increasingly dependent on the substance.

Plasencia faces up to 10 years in prison for each ketamine-related charge and up to 20 years in prison for each falsifying document charge.

Iwamasa and Fleming face 15 and 25 years in prison, respectively, if convicted in their federal trial.

Chavez was charged under a plea agreement and is scheduled to appear in court on August 30. If convicted, Chavez faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.

“We allege that each of the defendants played a significant role in his death by falsely prescribing, selling or injecting the ketamine that caused Matthew Perry’s tragic death,” said DEA Director Anne Milgram.

‘Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their positions of trust because they saw him as a money lender, and with street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials.’

This is a developing story. Check back for updates…