According to TMZ, the 70-year-old comedian was driving in Burbank when he was stopped for a traffic violation, which subsequently escalated into an arrest for alleged drug possession following a search of his vehicle.

Comedian Paul Rodriguez was arrested and taken into custody, but he asserted that the narcotics were not his and accused the officer of behaving inappropriately during the search. According to the Daily Mail, Rodriguez believed that the incident was racially motivated.

At the time his vehicle was stopped, Rodriguez was asleep in the passenger seat, and the officer, whom he described as “Caucasian,” reportedly slapped him to wake him up.

Regarding the drugs, he claimed they belonged to his friend, who was driving the car. He was arrested even after his friend admitted that the drugs were hers. Rodriguez stated that he was “roughed up” and that his vehicle was being impounded.

According to the Daily Mail, officials reported that Rodriguez was cited and released for misdemeanor drug possession, and the case will be forwarded to the city’s attorney for further review. However, they did not comment on his allegations.

Rodriguez has faced some difficult times recently following the death of his long-time friend, Donald Serrato, who passed away while staying at the comedian’s home in Los Angeles. Reports indicated that he died of natural causes.

In 2021, Rodriguez underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Rodriguez’s career as a comedian has spanned over 40 years. He has appeared in prominent television programs such as The Golden Girls, Touched By An Angel, and The Twilight Zone, and has lent his voice to animated series like King Of The Hill, Dora The Explorer, and The Proud Family.