California resident allegedly checked suitcases containing methamphetamine-laced clothes: Department of Justice

AND Northridge, California, Authorities say a man was arraigned on Tuesday after allegedly trying to check in at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) two suitcases containing methamphetamine-laced clothing, including a cow pajama suit.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Raj Matharu, 31, was charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

“Drug traffickers continually devise creative ways to smuggle dangerous drugs in pursuit of illicit profits, as the facts of this case allege,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “In the process, they are poisoning communities around the world. “Law enforcement is committed to combating drug trafficking, knowing that every seizure saves a life.”

Court documents show that on November 6, Matharu arrived at LAX to board a flight to Sydney, Australia.

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Upon arrival, he checked in two pieces of luggage – a pink suitcase and a gray suitcase.

Inspection officers conducted an X-ray inspection of the suitcases, which allegedly revealed “irregularities”, prompting the officers to pull out the luggage for additional inspection.

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When officers opened the suitcases for further analysis, they found several white and light-colored clothes that were covered in white residue and had dried.

Law enforcement officers tested a sample of the residue, which allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine.

The Justice Department said the total weight of the clothing containing methamphetamine was approximately 71.5 pounds, or 32.4 kilograms.

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The Justice Department added that an additional kilogram of methamphetamine residue was recovered from Matharu’s suitcases.

Just like Matharu was supposed to do get on his plane to Australia, officers detained him and then placed him in custody.

Although Matharu has been charged, his arraignment is scheduled for December 2 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. He is currently free on $10,000 bail.

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If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison federal prisonand up to life behind bars.