() –– A California man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly tried to check two suitcases containing more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine-filled clothing — including cow pajamas — on a flight to Australia, prosecutors said Tuesday. federal.
Raj Matharu checked two suitcases, one pink and one gray, onto his Nov. 6 United Airlines flight to Sydney, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Central District of California.
The agents who examined the luggage with methamphetamine, according to a statement from the United States attorney’s office. Among the clothes was a flannel jumpsuit in the shape of a cow.
Police removed more than a kilogram of methamphetamine from the suitcases, according to the statement.
According to court records, Matharu was intercepted at the door of his house and admitted to being the owner of the suitcases. He was later arrested and charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
has contacted Matharu and his lawyer for comment.
“Drug traffickers are continually inventing creative ways to smuggle dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profits, as alleged in the facts of this case,” State Attorney Martin Estrada said in the statement.
The clothing was likely “washed” with methamphetamine and left to dry, according to court records.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant whose main ingredient is an anti-cold medication such as pseudoephedrine. It is “cooked” or chemically transformed into methamphetamine, using ingredients that can include paint thinner, drain cleaner and lithium from batteries, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. That mixture is then dried to turn it into pills, crystals, or powder.
Matharu is free on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Los Angeles, according to prosecutors.
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