Meth-Soaked Clothing, Including Cow Onesie, Seized in Smuggling Bust

LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities at Los Angeles International Airport uncovered a smuggling attempt involving methamphetamine-soaked clothing, including a cow-print onesie, during a luggage inspection earlier this month.

Raj Matharu, 31, of Northridge, California, was en route to Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 6 when Customs and Border Protection officers flagged his luggage for inspection. Two suitcases labeled with his name contained approximately 71 pounds of clothing dried stiff with a white residue that later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to a criminal complaint.

Items in the bags included men’s and women’s clothing, such as socks, sports bras, boxers, and the adult-sized cow pajama onesie, federal authorities reported. Investigators believe Matharu soaked the garments in a meth solution, allowing it to dry and leave behind a crystalline residue. Officers extracted about one kilogram of meth from the garments.

Matharu was apprehended at the gate and, during questioning, admitted the suitcases were his but declined to provide further details. He faces charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Matharu has posted a $10,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 2.

“Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated.