Ask Onix
From socialite to drug supplier: The double life of Jasveen Sangha
A British-American woman once celebrated for her glamorous lifestyle and elite connections has admitted supplying the ketamine that contributed to Friends star Matthew Perry's fatal overdose in 2023. Jasveen Sangha, 42, is set to be sentenced in February after pleading guilty to federal drug charges, with prosecutors seeking up to 65 years in prison.
The fatal supply chain
Sangha provided 50 vials of ketamine to an intermediary, which ultimately reached Perry, according to court documents. The actor, known for his role as Chandler Bing, had been using legally prescribed ketamine to treat depression but sought additional doses outside medical supervision. Investigators traced the lethal supply back to Sangha's operation, which prosecutors described as a "stash house" catering to Hollywood's elite.
Bill Bodner, former head of the DEA's Los Angeles office, told the BBC she was "a highly educated individual who chose drug trafficking as a livelihood, funding a social media influencer persona with illicit profits."
A hidden empire behind the facade
Friends and acquaintances painted a stark contrast between Sangha's public image and her criminal enterprise. Born into a wealthy family-her grandparents owned multimillion-dollar fashion retail businesses in East London-she grew up in a lavish Los Angeles home, attended private schools, and earned an MBA from Hult International Business School in London.
"She didn't need the money," said longtime friend Tony Marquez, who recalled her traveling by private jet and hosting extravagant parties. "She had access to everything." Yet behind the scenes, Sangha allegedly ran a sophisticated drug network, sourcing ketamine from Mexico through corrupt veterinarians and pharmacies.
Party circles and deadly secrets
Sangha's social circle, dubbed the "Kitties," included celebrities and partygoers who frequented Los Angeles nightclubs like Avalon. Marquez, who met her in the 2010s, described their group's drug-fueled gatherings, including multi-day parties in rented mansions where ketamine was a staple. Despite their shared history, he claimed he never suspected her involvement in dealing.
"I cannot-still to this day-believe this is happening," Marquez said. "She was addicted to the status of supplying celebrities, not the drugs themselves."
Another friend, Jash Negandhi, who knew Sangha since college, said he was "blindsided" by the revelations. "She loved dancing and having a good time, but there were no signs of drug dealing," he told the BBC.
Prior deaths and unheeded warnings
Sangha's operation had fatal consequences before Perry's death. In 2019, she sold ketamine to Cody McLaury, who overdosed and died. His sister texted Sangha after the incident, but prosecutors said she continued dealing. Former federal prosecutor Martin Estrada called her actions "ruthless," noting she ignored the warning and later supplied Perry.
"Any sensible person would have stopped," Estrada said. "She chose profit over lives."
Rehabilitation and reckoning
Marquez said Sangha attended rehab in the early 2020s, and her lawyer claimed she had been sober for 17 months before her arrest. In a recent conversation with Negandhi, she expressed excitement about her future, unaware her friend knew nothing of her legal troubles.
Her sentencing, scheduled for February, will conclude a case that exposed a shadowy drug trade thriving among Los Angeles' wealthy. Sangha's attorney, Mark Geragos, said she "feels horrible" but denies knowing Perry personally. As one friend put it: "She was the last person anyone would suspect."
