Channel 2’s Michael Seiden uncovered some drivers for Uber Courier, a package delivery service, fear they are unknowingly being used as drug mules.
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“How are you?” asked a Johns Creek Police officer in body camera video.
“Sorry, my English is not good,” replied the Uber driver.
In the bodycam video, a driver for Uber Courier called 911 in October after a customer asked him to deliver a suspicious package to an apartment in Atlanta.
“It’s just that one bag,” said the officer on video.
Investigators said the bag contained marijuana. But that was not an isolated incident.
“It just smelled funny. It just smelled funny,” said an Uber Courier driver who asked us not to use his name due to safety concerns.
He said most of the time he doesn’t know what is inside the packages he delivers.
But sometimes the smell is so strong he knows there is a problem.
“Dank, like wet, but I know what weed smells like,” said the driver.
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It is unclear how often this is happening because some drivers like the man we talked to do not report it.
“Got it out of my car as soon as possible. I didn’t want to get caught with it,” the driver said.
Channel 2 Action News obtained police reports from two incidents in Atlanta.
During a traffic stop in March, a K9 officer searched an Uber driver’s car.
Police said they discovered a food bag with marijuana, 2 oxycodone pills, and a box of baking soda to help get rid of the smell.
In January, Atlanta Police seized 68 grams of marijuana after an Uber driver brought it to police headquarters saying a customer tried to get her to deliver the drugs.
“My biggest concern is identifying the individuals as quickly as possible that are exploiting these programs,” said Bill Donaldson, FBI Supervisory Special Agent.
Donaldson said drug cartels have turned to ridesharing platforms because they allow criminal organizations to remain anonymous while moving their guns and drugs.
“We definitely see it in Atlanta,” said Donaldson.
“They’re also being used unwittingly to transport individuals who are going to meet up with individuals to sell narcotics, firearms, you name it. Anything that needs to be moved by these organizations, certainly they could use these platforms to do it,” said Donaldson.
Uber’s policy clearly states weapons and drugs are prohibited, and drivers can cancel a delivery if the package concerns them.
“If anything is suspicious, I’ll escalate because I will not want to get into trouble,” said Bonr Njofang, an Uber driver.
Seiden wanted to see firsthand what these drivers are experiencing, so he signed up to drive for Uber.
“We just got one. We accepted it,” said Seiden after accepting his first delivery order.
He spent an afternoon driving around and making deliveries, but nothing appeared suspicious.
“We’re back in the car right now. Obviously, it’s lunch. I can’t really smell it. So, I don’t know what they have inside,” said Seiden after picking up the delivery.
Uber sent us this statement:
“At Uber, the safety of drivers and delivery people is a top priority. We strictly prohibit the use of our platform for any illegal purposes, and engaging in such activity can lead to permanent loss of access to Uber. Our global investigations team actively works to detect and address suspected criminal behavior on the app, take appropriate action against involved accounts, and support law enforcement agencies in their efforts.”
But some drivers worry that if they report criminal activity, they put their own lives in danger.
The criminals have their first name, car make and model, and license plate number on the app.
“When you pick it up and pack it, they track it … I just got rid of it. I dropped it off to wherever it was going to. I got the hell up out of there,” said the Uber driver who smelled marijuana.
In all three incident reports we obtained, police determined the drivers were unknowingly transporting the drugs and did not charge them with any crime.
Uber’s competitor Lyft does not offer package delivery.
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