LOS ANGELES, CA – Federal authorities have indicted a 31-year-old Northridge man accused of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine into Australia by saturating clothing, including a cow-print pajama onesie, with the drug.
Raj Matharu was charged Tuesday with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Discovery at LAX
The alleged smuggling attempt was uncovered on Nov. 6 when Matharu attempted to board a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney, Australia. Authorities say Matharu checked two suitcases at the ticket counter—one pink and one gray—which raised suspicions during an x-ray screening.
“The x-rays revealed irregularities, and officers pulled the suitcases for a secondary inspection,” federal prosecutors said in a statement.
Upon opening the luggage, law enforcement discovered over a dozen white or light-colored clothing items coated with a stiff white residue. Among the items was a cow-print pajama onesie. Further analysis confirmed the clothing had been saturated with methamphetamine. Officials extracted over a kilogram of meth residue from the items.
Methamphetamine-soaked clothes — including a cow pajama onesie — seized at LAX on November 6, 2024. The passenger has been indicted and is scheduled for arraignment on December 2. pic.twitter.com/VmWHtAUDAt
— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) November 26, 2024
Statement from Authorities
“Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “In the process, they are poisoning communities throughout the world. Law enforcement is committed to fighting drug trafficking, knowing that every seizure saves lives.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
If convicted, Matharu faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of life imprisonment.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether Matharu acted alone or as part of a larger drug trafficking network.
The case highlights the increasingly inventive methods used by traffickers to smuggle narcotics across international borders. Federal agencies emphasize the importance of vigilance and collaboration in intercepting illicit substances before they reach communities.
Further details are expected as the case progresses through the judicial system.
