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Five individuals who allegedly supplied illicit ketamine to “Friends” star Matthew Perry which caused his death were recently arrested and charged, US officials said on Thursday.

The actor died in his Los Angeles home in October 2023, sparking grief from fans worldwide.

In a statement made by US attorney Martin Estrada as reported by CBC News, he said that after Perry's death, they investigated the source of the drug, which led them to discover “a broad, underground criminal network” responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine not only to Perry, but to other individuals as well.

“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways,” he said.

Estrada added, “In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.”

Five individuals were arrested, including two medical doctors, Perry's live-in assistant, a broker, and a North Hollywood drug dealer known as "the Ketamine Queen,” who was previously linked to the death of another man due to overdose.

Perry was found dead in his home on October 28, 2023. An autopsy was conducted and it was discovered that the actor died due to the acute effects of ketamine. While ketamine is a controlled substance and has some medical benefits, the drug can be used illegally.

Estrada said that it can cause serious health problems including loss of consciousness, spikes in blood pressure, and respiratory issues that can deprive the brain of oxygen.

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The US attorney also said that while Perry was seeking help to get over his addiction, he had fallen back into it in 2023, when two medical doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, began to supply him with the drug.

Meanwhile, Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” also began supplying Perry through the broker Eric Fleming, administered by his live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa. Estrada revealed that it was the batch from Sangha that ultimately ended Perry's life.

After Perry's death, it was discovered that Placentia allegedly falsified medical records and notes to make it appear that their actions were legitimate, which according to Estrada, were not. They also discovered that Sangha allegedly asked Fleming to delete their text message exchanges.

In this regard, the US attorney and law enforcement filed federal charges against the five individuals which included; conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, maintaining drug-involved premises for that drug selling emporium that Sangha had, altering and falsifying records related to a federal investigation for the false medical notes and records that Placentia made, and multiple other drug trafficking accounts.

However, Estrada said, “Of course, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

He then noted the penalties the five will face, more specifically Placentia and Sangha, “With regard to defendant Placentia, the statutory maximum sentence he faces is 120 years in federal prison. With regard to defendant Sangha, the statutory maximum she faces is life imprisonment.”

Estrada said that they are “ sending a clear message by filing these charges.”

“If you are in the business of selling dangerous drugs, we will hold you accountable for the deaths that you cause,” he said.

Perry was best known for her character in the '90s sitcom “Friends,” playing the role of Chandler Bing. His friends and co-stars, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, in a joint statement, expressed their devastation at the passing of Perry.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss,” they said.

Watch the full statement Martin made here:

Video from CBC News