Raj Matharu, a 31-year-old man from Northridge, was indicted for attempting to smuggle clothing containing more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine onto an Australia-bound flight from LAX. The drugs had been hidden in the fabric in an attempt to avoid detection. Matharu was arrested when screening personnel noticed irregularities in his luggage during an X-ray scan. The clothing items were found to be caked with a white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The items included a variety of clothing such as shirts, sweaters, socks, boxers, and a onesie pajama set designed to look like a cow. Matharu was intercepted on the jet bridge as he tried to board his flight to Sydney. He faces a federal charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and could potentially face a prison term ranging from 10 years to life if convicted. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada commended the airport screening and law enforcement officers for their efforts in uncovering the drug-laced clothing. Prosecutors are committed to fighting drug trafficking, emphasizing the dangers posed by drug dealers who continuously come up with creative ways to smuggle narcotics for profit, ultimately harming communities worldwide. Matharu is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in federal court in Los Angeles on December 2.
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