A 31-year-old man from Northridge, California, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX) on November 6 after authorities discovered over 70 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in clothing, including a cow-themed pajama onesie, according to the US Department of Justice. This person had been preparing to board a 
United Airlines
flight bound for Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
, Australia, when his luggage raised suspicions, leading to a seizure of the illegal drugs.
Photo: Department of Justice
Methamphetamine hidden in cow pajama onesie
According to a criminal complaint filed in the Central District of California obtained by CBS News, Raj Matharu checked in two suitcases, one pink and one gray, before passing through security. Screening officers conducted routine X-ray checks of the luggage, which revealed “irregularities” that prompted a more thorough inspection. The LA Times reported that when the US Customs and Border Protection officers opened the bags, they found more than a dozen pieces of light-colored clothing, all covered in a white, powdery substance and stiff to the touch.
Photo: Department of Justice
A follow-up chemical analysis verified that the material was methamphetamine. Authorities recovered about 71.5 pounds (32.4 kilos) of drug-laced clothes in total. The luggage also contained about one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine residue. Among the items of clothing was a flannel cow pajama onesie, which stood out as a bizarre choice of disguise for the narcotic-laden garments. According to officials, all the light-colored clothing in the luggage was covered in the residue, while other clothing items were not. According to the government document, the garments were probably “washed” with white methamphetamine and allowed to air dry.
Man arrested at the gate
Just before he was about to board his flight to Australia, Matharu was stopped at his gate by authorities and confessed to being the owner of the bags, the New York Post reported. After being taken into custody, he was accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Whether Matharu has legal representation or intends to challenge the allegations has not been made public by the US Attorney’s Office. Matharu is currently free on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, according to CNN. If convicted, he faces significant penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence.
Photo: Department of Justice
A major drug smuggling spot
Federal authorities have expressed concern over the growing trend of drug traffickers using creative methods to smuggle narcotics across international borders. “Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit – as alleged in the facts of this case,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “In the process, they are poisoning communities throughout the world. Law enforcement is committed to fighting drug trafficking, knowing that every seizure saves lives.”
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The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt drug smuggling operations, particularly those involving high-risk substances like methamphetamine. According to an ABC7 investigation, LAX is perhaps the world’s largest drug trafficking hub because of the number of passengers, which makes it difficult to conduct narcotics screening. A similar case happened earlier this month when a student from the United Kingdom was arrested trying to sneak more than a dozen meth-encrusted Target T-shirts through Los Angeles Airport in her luggage on her layover to meet her boyfriend for the first time in Australia.