Comedian Paul Rodriguez Arrested for Alleged Drug Possession in California

Paul Rodriguez is facing legal trouble.

The comedian, 70, was arrested on charges of possession of narcotics in California on Friday, March 28, the Burbank Police Department (BPD) confirmed to PEOPLE. TMZ was first to report the news.

According to the BPD, officers conducted a traffic stop of a car for vehicle code violations that Rodriguez was a passenger in around 7:30 p.m. local time.

“During the investigation, narcotics were located,” authorities alleged, adding that Rodriguez “was arrested and booked at the Burbank Police Jail for possession of narcotics.” He was later released with a citation to appear in court on April 25, the BPD said.

Representatives for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, March 29.

Speaking with TMZ after his arrest, Rodriguez said the car was his, but he was asleep in the passenger seat when he and his friend were pulled over. He alleged that a “Caucasian” officer was on a “power trip” and slapped him awake.

Rodriguez added to the outlet that he told police the drugs allegedly belonged to his friend, who was driving. His car was impounded, and the BPD told TMZ the star’s friend is being held for “outstanding warrants.”

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Rodriguez, who was born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, has appeared in over 40 films, according to his IMDB page.

He has been performing comedy for nearly 30 years and is known for his bilingual standup, which draws from both his Latin and American heritages, per his bio page from The Improv. 

Rodriguez was once voted one of the most influential Hispanics in America and received the Ruben Salazar Award by UnidosUS (formerly The National Council of La Raza), which is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, per his bio.