A man from California has been indicted for allegedly attempting to smuggle over 70 pounds of methamphetamine-tainted clothing onto a flight headed to Australia from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) earlier this month.

Raj Matharu, a 31-year-old from Northridge, is facing a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Authorities claim he checked in two suitcases filled with more than a dozen pieces of clothing that were soaked in meth.

On November 6, he checked in a pink suitcase and a gray one for his United Airlines flight to Sydney. Court documents obtained by YSL News reveal that after Matharu handed over his luggage to the airline, screening officials noticed unusual images when they X-rayed the bags.

As a result, the bags were flagged for a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, according to court records.

“When the suitcases were opened, law enforcement discovered that they contained over a dozen items of white or light-colored clothing that were rigid and coated in a white substance,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported on Tuesday.

According to prosecutors, a test on a sample of the white substance revealed it was methamphetamine. The total weight of the clothes was about 71.5 pounds, and more than two pounds of meth was extracted from the suitcases afterward.

The clothing items, which included shirts, sweaters, socks, and boxers, were allegedly “washed” in meth before drying. Additionally, there were a pair of onesie pajamas designed to look like a cow.

CBP officers apprehended Matharu on the jet bridge as he attempted to board his flight, where he confirmed ownership of the luggage and was subsequently arrested, court documents indicate.

Matharu has been released on a $10,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned on Monday at the U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. If found guilty, he could face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

Recent Drug Seizures

The indictment issued on Tuesday is just one of many drug trafficking cases in the country, where suspects are caught using diverse methods to smuggle illegal substances.

In August, there were several notable incidents, including the seizure of over 2,500 pounds of crystal meth hidden inside boxes of celery in a truck’s cargo area. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported the wholesale value was around $3.2 million.

Additionally, CBP officers found 1,220 packages containing 4,587 pounds of meth worth more than $5 million, disguised as watermelons.

CBP mentioned that a 29-year-old man crossing into the U.S. from Mexico was selected for further inspection, leading to the discovery of the meth-filled watermelon packages.

A California man was also detained in early August facing charges related to the distribution and possession of meth, in connection to an attempt to ship over 2,000 pounds of the drug destined for Australia.

Moreover, six individuals were charged for participating in a “drug empire” that concealed large amounts of meth and cocaine within Bluetooth karaoke speakers, which were smuggled from California to Pennsylvania. State officials revealed that the group, identified as the Byrne Drug Trafficking Organization, managed to ship around $5 million worth of drugs in six months.

Charges against the group members include various drug-related offenses and corruption, according to Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.