A 31-year-old man from San Fernando Valley, California, has been charged with trying to smuggle 71 pounds of methamphetamine caked into his clothing on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia, in an audacious attempt to avoid detection by Customs and Border Protection officers.
Raj Matharu is scheduled to be arraigned on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine at a hearing in a downtown Los Angeles district court on December 2 following his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
If convicted, Matharu faces the threat of being incarcerated in a federal prison for at least 10 years and could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
An affidavit recently filed in the Central California district court alleges that Matharu arrived at LAX on the evening of November 6 and checked in two large suitcases for a United Airlines flight to Syndey, Australia, that was scheduled to depart at 10:40 pm.
As is standard practice for international flights, the suitcases were subjected to X-ray screening, which detected an anomaly, and the cases were pulled for secondary checks.
On opening the cases, CBP officers found them stuffed with white and light-colored clothing, including a cow pajama onesie that was “dried stiff and covered in a white residue.” The officers also noticed white powder residue in the suitcases and immediately went to apprehend Matharu.
After pulling him aside at the boarding gate, officers took Matharu to the CBP inspection area, where he confirmed the suitcases and clothing belonged to him. Officers conducted a narcotics field test on the residue and stiffened clothing, which tested positive for methamphetamine.
The FBI agent investigating the case says that in his experience, methamphetamine is normally smuggled out of the United States in liquid or powder form. In this case, however, the FBI believes the methamphetamine was washed into the clothing and left to dry.
Left at room temperature, the solution would eventually evaporate, and the powdered methamphetamine would separate from the clothing.
“Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit – as alleged in the facts of this case,” commented United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
According to The Australian Federal Police, methamphetamine is the second most consumed illegal drug in Australia, and the country remains an attractive market for foreign smugglers.
Court documents reveal that CBP has stepped up X-ray screening of checked-in luggage for international flights, especially to Australia, due to a rise in drug smuggling.
Until last week, never heard of a meth smuggling problem then heard of 4 cases…this man flying LAX to Sydney, some drug mules flying from Vancouver to Sydney, and a story about Canadians flying to Sydney.
As a result, I think all travellers to Australia will be suspected of meth smuggling.