Former Uber driver claims ridesharing service used for drug deals
The South Australian Taxi Council has slammed Uber for their lack of support towards their drivers, saying they are behind the times when it comes to protecting their staff.
The council’s Jim Triantafyllou said the recent claims of Uber drivers becoming unwillingly involved in drug deals highlights the poor effort the company is making to protect its drivers.
“We need to have these checks in place that we’ve had in our industry now for the last three decades or so,” Mr Triantafyllou told 7 News, explaining that Uber needed to tighten up their regulations.
South Australia is the latest state to back the call for push for safety, after a former Brisbane Uber X driver claimed drug dealers are using the ridesharing service to conduct their illicit trade.
The driver, identified only as ‘Jack’, provided 7 News with a video documenting a sketchy scene that he believes involves drugs.
“It became obvious they were buying drugs,” Jack said. “Ice to be specific.”
The driver claims a man and a woman were arranging a deal over the phone from inside his vehicle.
“There’s 400 all up?” the woman asks the man in the back, possibly referring to money.
“Yep,” the man answers.
With that confirmation, she tells the person on the phone: “Hey, I’m here now.”
Once out of the vehicle, Jack saw the couple meet with a cyclist, who he believes was selling drugs.
“The drug dealer looked at me in the face, in the eyes. So he recognises me, He knows my plates,” Jack told 7 News, afraid of being identified by the man.
He said cases like this are becoming more common, prompting calls for tougher regulations from the company to help protect drivers.
He fears that being the driver of the vehicle involves him in the crime, as lawyer Bill Potts confirmed.
“In theory, the criminal code makes him a party to the offence,” Mr Potts said.
Jim Triantafyllou from the Taxi Council of South Australia said incidents like this are exactly why stringent regulations are needed for ridesharing services.
“We need to have these checks in place that we’ve had in our industry now for the last three decades or so,” Jim Triantafyllou
Jack agrees, saying urgent action is required from Uber.
“It’s not enough,” he said. “It’s happening too much and it’s just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.”
Uber declined to comment on this specific case but said that drivers need to comply with all applicable laws, including not transporting illegal
