‘Ketamine Queen’ Sentenced To 15 Years In Matthew Perry Death

Jasveen Sangha, a British-American drug dealer, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in relation to actor Matthew Perry’s death due to an overdose. Popularly known as the ‘Ketamine Queen’, she pleaded guilty to charges including the distribution of ketamine, resulting in the FRIENDS star’s 2023 death

Who is this “Ketamine Queen”?

Jasveen Sangha is a 42-year-old London-born Punjabi-origin drug dealer based in North Hollywood, California. She operated a high-end drug trafficking business from her residence, especially ketamine and other narcotics, to the wealthy and celebrities.

She reportedly sold 51 vials of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, through an intermediary some weeks before his death. She again sold 25 vials of ketamine for $6,000 four days before the actor’s death and asked her associates to delete their messages.

According to DW, in March 2024, 80 vials of ketamine, along with thousands of pills including methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax were found through a raid at her home. Prosecutors linked her to the death of a customer named Cody McLaury in 2019 due to an overdose. 

In September 2025, she pleaded guilty to five federal charges – one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

The New York Times mentioned that she was called “Queen” because she catered to high-profile clients and actively marketed herself with her luxurious lifestyle funded by the trafficking. On April 8, 2026, she was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

What happened to Matthew Perry?

Matthew Perry, the ‘FRIENDS’-famed actor, died on October 28, 2023, due to an overdose of ketamine followed by drowning in a Jacuzzi at his LA home.

According to PBS, the level of ketamine found in his system was equivalent to that used for general anesthesia which caused overstimulation of cardiovascular and respiratory depression, leading him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub. 

Perry had always been outspoken about his struggle with alcohol and addiction and had gone to rehab more than 15 times. It didn’t end there; he had undergone multiple surgeries and even went to coma in 2019. He had been undergoing supervised ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but was also using it unsupervised, according to prosecutors. 

An investigation was launched following his death that led to five people who were charged with providing illegal ketamine to the actor.

This case highlights the misuse of drugs in Hollywood. Ketamine is a strong anaesthetic substance with hallucinogenic properties which has gained popularity among illegal drug parties and treatment for depression, creating a wild access.