Multiple Individuals Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry’s Overdose Death

Several individuals have been charged in connection with the accidental overdose death of actor Matthew Perry, according to law enforcement sources who spoke with NBC News on Thursday.

Perry, 54, was discovered unresponsive in the heated section of his pool at his Pacific Palisades residence on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that his death was due to the acute effects of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties.

Sources reported that at least one arrest was made in Southern California early Thursday. Federal prosecutors are expected to unseal an indictment later today, detailing the charges against this individual and others involved.

The family of Keith Morrison, a “Dateline” correspondent and Perry’s stepfather, expressed their relief at the recent developments.

“We were and continue to be devastated by Matthew’s passing, but it brings some solace knowing that law enforcement has treated his case with the seriousness it deserves,” the family stated. “We look forward to seeing justice served.”

In May, the Los Angeles police confirmed their collaboration with federal authorities to investigate the source of the ketamine found in Perry’s system.

Ketamine, long popular as a recreational drug, has recently gained attention for its potential in treating depression. An increasing number of clinics offer ketamine infusions or injections for various mental health conditions.

Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, though his last session occurred over a week before his death. The medical examiner noted that the ketamine detected in Perry’s body “could not be from that infusion therapy” due to its short half-life.

The ketamine levels in his system were significantly high, comparable to those used for general anesthesia in surgical procedures, according to the medical examiner’s findings.

Ultimately, Perry’s death was ruled accidental, with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid dependence.

Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV show “Friends,” had been candid about his struggles with opioid addiction and alcoholism, which he detailed in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” The medical examiner’s report noted that Perry had been sober for 19 months at the time of his death.

It’s not unusual for law enforcement to investigate and, in some cases, charge those responsible for supplying drugs that lead to high-profile fatalities.

For example, after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering a fatal dose of potent drugs. More recently, federal prosecutors in New York charged four individuals who provided actor Michael K. Williams with the fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in his 2021 death.

 Divers Find 25 Bricks of Suspected Cocaine with Fake Nike Logos off Key West Coast

Divers exploring off the coast of Key West, Florida, initially mistook what they found on the ocean floor for trash. However, it turned out to be over two dozen packages of suspected cocaine, authorities reported Wednesday.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to the Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo after scuba divers reported the discovery. The images released by the sheriff's office revealed a torn garbage bag next to the packages, which were marked with fake Nike SB logos.

The 25 packages, each weighing approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds), were found about 100 feet underwater in the Atlantic Ocean. The stash has been handed over to U.S. Border Patrol for further investigation.

This find follows a recent incident in which a beachgoer discovered around $1 million worth of cocaine washed ashore in the Florida Keys. That package contained 65 pounds of cocaine, according to CBS Miami.

Drug traffickers often transport cocaine across international waters using various vessels, and it's not uncommon for them to mark their packages with distinctive designs. In January, the Colombian Navy intercepted a "narco sub" carrying over 1,000 pounds of cocaine, with some packages marked with scorpion insignias or names like "Winnie" and "Carnal."

Last year, several Florida beaches saw packages of cocaine, worth over $100,000 in total, washed ashore, some featuring designs mimicking luxury brands like Chanel. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also made headlines when she found 70 pounds of cocaine emblazoned with butterfly designs during a family fishing trip.

In 2023, nearly 150 pounds of cocaine washed up on Big Pine Key, and in 2019, bricks of cocaine were discovered on two beaches following Hurricane Dorian's impact on the Florida coast.

Colombia remains a major source of the world's cocaine production.

 Two Prominent Mexican Cartel Leaders Turn Themselves In to U.S. Authorities

One of the world's most notorious drug lords, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, has been arrested by U.S. federal agents in El Paso, Texas. Zambada, 76, co-founded the crime syndicate with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is currently imprisoned in the U.S. Guzman's son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was also arrested alongside Zambada on Thursday, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

In February, Zambada was charged by U.S. prosecutors with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent drug implicated in the U.S. opioid crisis. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the significance of the arrests, stating that the two men lead "one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world." Garland underscored the Justice Department's commitment to holding every cartel leader, member, and associate accountable for their role in the fentanyl epidemic.

American prosecutors assert that the Sinaloa cartel is the primary supplier of drugs to the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had offered a reward of up to $15 million for Zambada's capture. During El Chapo's 2019 trial, his lawyers claimed that Zambada bribed the Mexican government to live openly without fear of prosecution. Zambada is also known to own several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including a large milk company, a bus line, a hotel, and various real estate assets.

In addition to fentanyl charges, Zambada faces numerous other charges in the U.S., including drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and organized crime. Fentanyl is cited as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. In May, Zambada's nephew, Eliseo Imperial Castro (known as "Cheyo Antrax"), was killed in an ambush in Mexico while also wanted by U.S. authorities.

Zambada's arrest marks a significant moment in the fight against drug trafficking, as he is regarded as one of the world's most influential drug lords. Having evaded capture for decades, his arrest has shocked many in Mexico. While details of the arrests remain unclear, it appears the two men flew into the United States.

President Joe Biden's administration is likely to herald this operation as one of the DEA's most significant achievements in years. Zambada co-founded the Sinaloa cartel after the collapse of the Guadalajara cartel in the late 1980s. Despite El Chapo being the public face of the organization, many believed El Mayo was its true leader. Zambada's innovative strategies included forging early links with Colombian cartels to flood the U.S. with cocaine heroin, and later fentanyl.

His leadership of the Sinaloa cartel has withstood changing political climates in both Mexico and the U.S., as well as ongoing anti-drug offensives and rival cartel threats. Despite his extraordinary resilience, Zambada's reign appears to have ended in El Paso, Texas, a city heavily affected by the influx of fentanyl smuggled in by his organization.

 Connecticut Man Accused of Running $8.5 Million Mushroom Factory in Home

A 21-year-old Connecticut man, Westen Soule, is facing charges of cultivating illegal mushrooms valued at $8.5 million. State police have accused him of possession with intent to sell/distribute narcotics and operating a drug factory.

The investigation began on November 2 when authorities received a tip about an alleged clandestine psilocybin mushroom growing operation at a residence in Burlington. Upon reaching the location, investigators encountered Soule and noticed ventilation equipment suggesting a hidden laboratory within his home.

Following Soule's guidance, law enforcement proceeded to a detached garage, where they observed an extensive mushroom-growing operation. Despite Soule's belief that the mushrooms were not illegal, he did not consent to a home search. Subsequently, authorities obtained a search warrant.

Soule later admitted that the mushrooms were indeed psilocybin, leading to his arrest. He is charged with possession with intent to sell/distribute narcotics and operating a drug factory. His court appearance is scheduled for later this month.

In Other SMH America News

Marijuana for McDonald's

A man in Florida has been arrested for trying to pay for his McDonald's drive-thru order with a bag of marijuana. According to a post by the Port St. Lucie Police Department on Facebook, an employee at McDonald's contacted them at 2 a.m. to report the incident. The man was identified as Anthony Andrew Gallagher. The police arrived at the scene and an officer approached Gallagher, who was still in the drive-thru and noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from his car.