Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez cited and released after Burbank narcotics arrest
Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, 70, was cited and released on a misdemeanor narcotics possession charge after an arrest Monday in Burbank, police said. The arrest occurred after officers responded to a welfare-check call at Islands restaurant around 7:30 p.m. involving Rodriguez and a woman who was with him at the time.
Police said the woman was arrested on suspicion of drug possession. After searching the car, Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of narcotics. Law enforcement sources told local media that Xanax and suspected fentanyl were found in the vehicle. Rodriguez denied the drugs were his, according to authorities.
Jail records indicate he was cited and released Tuesday morning. The incident follows a March arrest in which Rodriguez was a passenger in a car in which narcotics were discovered; Rodriguez told TMZ the drugs did not belong to him.
In November, a 54-year-old friend of Rodriguez died at his home in a drug-related fatality, with the coroner citing fentanyl, phencyclidine and methamphetamine as factors. Rodriguez said the friend had been staying with him for a few days and that he learned of the death after the friend did not respond to his call.
Rodriguez moved from Mexico to East Los Angeles in his youth and built a stand-up career in Los Angeles clubs during the 1970s. He rose to international fame hosting comedy specials and appearing in numerous films, and he has hosted television programs on Univision and MTV.
What to watch next: As with any arrest, charges are not a conviction, and the outcome will depend on ongoing legal proceedings. Rodriguez and his representatives have not publicly commented beyond the previously reported statements. His longtime fans will be watching for updates as the case develops.
Summary: A high-profile entertainer faces a misdemeanor narcotics possession charge after a welfare-check stop in Burbank, with authorities reporting Xanax and suspected fentanyl found in the vehicle. The incident follows prior legal issues, but Rodriguez’s career and status as an entertainer remain longstanding. Fans and observers will await further official updates.