A Southern California man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after investigators said his luggage contained methamphetamine-laced items.
On November 6, Raj Matharu, 31, of Northridge, attempted a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia. He checked in two pieces of luggage at an LAX ticket booth, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
As security authorities X-rayed his bags, they discovered “irregularities” and removed the suitcases for further scrutiny. Inside, officials discovered over a dozen white or light-colored clothing articles, including a cow pajama onesie, that had dried hard and were covered in a white residue.
The residue was analyzed by law enforcement, and the results showed that it was methamphetamine, according to officials.
The total weight of the clothes with meth poured into them was approximately 71.5 pounds. Authorities extracted more than one kilogram of meth residue from the garments.
Officers apprehended Matharu on the jet bridge before his flight and arrested him.
“Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit — as alleged in the facts of this case,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “In the process, they contaminate communities around the world. Law enforcement is dedicated to combating drug trafficking, understanding that each arrest saves lives.
Matharu is set to be arraigned on December 2 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. He was released on a $10,000 bail.
If convicted, he may face anything from 10 to life in jail.