Comedian Paul Rodriguez, 70, was arrested on March 28, 2025
, in Burbank, California, on charges of narcotics possession. The Burbank Police Department (BPD) confirmed the arrest, stating that officers had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that Rodriguez was a passenger in around 7:30 p.m. local time. During the investigation, police allegedly found narcotics in the car, leading to Rodriguez’s arrest. He was booked at the Burbank Police Jail and later released with a citation to appear in court on April 25, 2025.
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Rodriguez spoke with TMZ following his arrest, explaining that he was asleep in the passenger seat when the car was pulled over. He claimed the officer, who he described as “Caucasian,” was on a “power trip” and slapped him awake. Rodriguez stated that the drugs in the car belonged to his friend, the driver, who had outstanding warrants. The car was impounded as a result.
Rodriguez, born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, has appeared in over 40 films and has been performing comedy for nearly 30 years. He is well-known for his bilingual stand-up, which incorporates both his Latin and American backgrounds. Rodriguez has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the most influential Hispanics in America and receiving the Ruben Salazar Award from UnidosUS, a major Hispanic civil rights organization.