E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A man from the San Fernando Valley has admitted guilt to a federal charge for possessing methamphetamine-coated clothing in two suitcases at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Raj Matharu, 31, from Northridge, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently free on a $10,000 bond.
According to court documents, Matharu attempted to fly from Los Angeles to Sydney on November 6, 2024. His luggage contained clothing items coated with nearly 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine. After being informed that his bags were overweight at LAX, Matharu rearranged the contents between the suitcases under airport surveillance before successfully checking them in.
Abnormalities detected during X-ray screening led officers to conduct a secondary review of Matharu's luggage. Officers found stiff clothing inside one suitcase and summoned a K9 unit. Matharu was intercepted after crossing the jet bridge and confirmed ownership of the bags when brought back for further inspection.
Upon opening the suitcases in front of Matharu, officers discovered white clothing caked with a powdery substance and loose residue throughout both cases, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Laboratory testing confirmed that six out of 17 items contained nearly 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In his plea agreement, Matharu acknowledged knowing he was transporting methamphetamine or another controlled substance with the intent to distribute it in Australia.
United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer has scheduled an October 20 sentencing hearing where Matharu faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from United States Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas G. Purcell from the General Crimes Section.
