California man arrested for allegedly smuggling meth-caked clothing through LAX

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A Southern California man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after authorities said his luggage was filled with clothing that was caked in methamphetamine.

On Nov. 6, Raj Matharu, 31, of Northridge, attempted to fly from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia. He checked in two pieces of luggage at an LAX ticket counter, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As security officers X-rayed his luggage, they noticed “irregularities” and pulled the suitcases for a secondary inspection. Inside, authorities found more than a dozen white or light-colored clothing items, including a cow pajama onesie, that were dried stiff and covered in a white residue. 

After law enforcement tested the residue, the results confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, officials said.

The total weight of the clothing with the meth soaked into them was around 71.5 pounds. Authorities were able to extract over one kilogram of meth residue from the clothes.

Officers intercepted Matharu on the jet bridge to his flight, and he was taken into custody.

“Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit — as alleged in the facts of this case,” 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.”

Matharu is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 2 in U.S. District Court in downtown L.A. He was released on $10,000 bond.

If convicted, he could face anywhere between 10 years to life in prison.