Authorities in Los Angeles have apprehended five individuals in relation to the accidental overdose death of actor Matthew Perry.
Perry passed away last October due to an overdose of ketamine, a drug with anesthetic and psychedelic properties.
During a press conference on Thursday, Los Angeles officials disclosed that an investigation into Perry’s demise exposed a vast illegal network responsible for distributing significant amounts of ketamine to Perry and others.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated that among those facing charges were two doctors, Perry’s live-in assistant, several intermediaries, and a significant ketamine supplier known as “the ketamine queen.”
Estrada emphasized that the accused would receive severe penalties as a deterrent to others engaging in similar activities.
Anne Milgram, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, recounted how Perry initially received ketamine via a prescription from a local clinic where he sought treatment for depression and anxiety.
In the United States, ketamine is typically approved by the FDA for anesthesia or as a nasal spray for depression treatment, to be administered in medical settings only.
Following the refusal of doctors at the clinic to increase Perry’s dosage, he sought alternative sources and eventually encountered the two doctors now implicated in his death.
“He turned to unethical doctors who viewed Perry as a lucrative opportunity,” remarked Milgram.
She explained that Perry was provided large quantities of ketamine in exchange for significant sums of money, with a vial costing him about $2,000 despite being valued at only $12.
As Perry’s addiction escalated, he resorted to street vendors for cheaper and quicker access to the drug, ultimately leading to his demise.
Milgram highlighted the prevalent scenario where drug addiction often commences in a medical setting and culminates in the use of illicit substances.
“Each of the defendants played a critical role in his death by falsely prescribing, selling, or administering the ketamine that resulted in Matthew Perry’s tragic passing,” noted Milgram.
Perry, renowned for his role in the hit sitcom “Friends” and various other television shows and films, was discovered deceased at the age of 54 in his home’s hot tub in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles police had previously announced their investigation into the source of Perry’s drugs in May.
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