An Uber driver was busted for ferrying street-grade fentanyl and heroin in his black Honda Accord for a narcotics trafficking ring, authorities said Monday.
Agents pulled over Uber driver Richard Rodriguez in Harlem Aug. 4 and allegedly discovered David Rodriguez in the back seat with two boxes of drugs, according to New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor.
Authorities said they had 448 Central Park West near 105th Street under surveillance and had spotted David Rodriguez climb into the back seat with the contraband.
The boxes allegedly contained two clear plastic bags of a tan powdery substance and seven packages wrapped in plastic and tape.
Two more defendants, Jesus Perez-Cabral and Johnny Beltrez, were busted at the Central Park pad, where authorities seized 3 more kilograms of fentanyl and heroin and 1,100 dose glassine envelopes stamped with the brand name “UBER.”
Officials also found a .25-caliber Beretta pistol stuffed between two couch cushions inside the apartment and $30,000 in cash.
A total of 9 kilograms of drugs was seized in the operation.
The defendants were arraigned Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.
“The volume of heroin and highly potent fentanyl entering New York City is staggering, but so is the amount being removed from the streets as a result of successful collaborations between law enforcement partners,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said in a statement.
Uber did not immediately comment.
