- Punjabi-origin woman supplied drugs to high-profile clients; admitted selling ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his fatal overdose
Punjab Newsline | Jalandhar/Los Angeles
A Punjabi-origin woman, Jasveen Sangha infamously known as the “Ketamine Queen” in the United States has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the verdict on April 8 in a Los Angeles federal court, stating that Sangha funded her luxury lifestyle by supplying drugs to high-profile clients.
Sangha was directly linked to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, who died in 2023 due to a ketamine overdose. She had admitted to selling ketamine to Perry. Her family traces its roots to Phillaur near Jalandhar in Punjab.
Born on July 22, 1983, in London, Sangha belongs to a family originally associated with Sangha village near Jalandhar. Her parents, Neelam Singh and Baljeet Singh Chhokar, are industrialists, while her grandparents run a fashion retail business in East London and are reportedly connected to elite circles.
The family later moved to Calabasas, California, where Sangha grew up. She holds dual citizenship of the U.S. and the U.K. She completed her schooling in 2001, earned a BA from the University of California, Irvine, and later pursued an MBA from Hult International Business School.
After a brief stint in employment, Sangha turned to drug trafficking. She converted her residence in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, into a stash house, where she allegedly sold ketamine, methamphetamine, and other drugs.
Her clientele reportedly included Hollywood celebrities and wealthy individuals. On social media, she portrayed herself as an art curator living a lavish lifestyle, showcasing luxury items such as Louis Vuitton bags and frequently vacationing abroad.
Jasveen sold ketamine to Matthew for approximately ₹10 lakh
In 2019, she sold ketamine to a man named Cody McLaury, who later died from an overdose. In October 2023, she sold 51 vials of ketamine to Matthew Perry for approximately ₹10 lakh. Perry was later found dead in the hot tub of his home, with the medical examiner confirming ketamine as the primary cause of death.
Sangha was first arrested in March 2024 in connection with another drug case and re-arrested in August 2024. The case involved five accused, including two doctors and Perry’s assistant. In September 2025, she pleaded guilty to five federal charges. Her defense team argued for leniency, citing it as her first offense and highlighting good behavior in prison. However, the judge rejected the plea and imposed a strict sentence.