A Los Angeles County man is facing federal drug charges after LAX security allegedly found meth-caked clothing, including a cow pajama onesie, in his luggage.
Raj Matharu, 31, was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to an indictment released by the U.S. Department of Justice. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
USAO
He was released on a $10,000 bond while he awaited his arraignment on December 2.
“Drug dealers continually devise creative ways to traffic dangerous narcotics for illicit profit – as alleged in the facts of this case,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “In the process, they poison communities around the world. Police are committed to fighting drug trafficking, knowing that every seizure saves lives.”
Officers arrested Matharu on Nov. 6 after he checked two pieces of luggage, a pink and a gray suitcase, at the ticket counter before his flight, court documents show. Security pulled the bags after finding irregularities on the X-ray. When they opened the luggage, police noticed that more than a dozen white or light-colored clothing items, including the onesie, had dried stiff and were covered in a white residue, the DOJ said.
Law enforcement tested the residue, which found methamphetamine, the DOJ said. Investigators recovered over a pound of meth residue from the clothing, which weighed approximately 31.5 pounds.
Officers detained Matharu on the jet bridge connecting the terminal to his flight to Australia.
