Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that a 31-year-old man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after attempting to check in two suitcases filled with methamphetamine-stained clothing, including a cow pajama onesie.
Authorities said Northridge resident Raj Matharu had two bags searched before his Nov. 6 flight to Sydney. However, the inspector who X-rayed the pink and gray suitcase noticed something unusual and warned him to carry out a second inspection.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the Central District of California, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found inside the suitcase “white or light-colored clothing that had dried out, become hard, and was covered with a white residue.” ” was discovered.
Federal prosecutors say residue found on items including socks, boxers, tank tops, sweatpants, jeans, hoodies, underwear and cow onesie pajamas tested positive for methamphetamine.
Authorities said his clothing was soaked with methamphetamine. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Authorities said the residue was caked on all the light-colored clothing in the suitcase, but not on other items. The residue-covered clothing weighed about 71 pounds, according to federal prosecutors, and investigators estimate the clothing was soaked with more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine solution.
The clothing was likely “washed” with white methamphetamine and dried, according to a federal affidavit.
Authorities said Masaru stopped him at the United Airlines boarding gate, where he admitted to being the owner of the suitcase and followed the officer to the screening area. Prosecutors said he paid $100 on his personal credit card to deposit a second suitcase.
Masar was taken into custody on Nov. 7 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
He was released on $10,000 bail guaranteed by a relative, according to court records.
“Drug dealers, as alleged in the facts of this case, continually invent inventive ways to smuggle dangerous drugs in pursuit of illicit profits,” said US Atty. Martin Estrada said in a statement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on this particular tactic, but Masaru is not the first person to be arrested for allegedly attempting to fly with methamphetamine-infused items.
On November 2nd, customs officers at LAX found 13 white T-shirts with a white powdery substance on them inside a suitcase. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to an affidavit filed, authorities identified the suitcase’s owner as Mya Saakwa Mante, a British student who purchased the items from Target and provided receipts to prove it. He said he “claimed no knowledge” about the powder. In that case. Sakuwa Mante’s final destination was Brisbane, Australia.
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