Chicago Uber driver says routine delivery turned into drug discovery, then account blocked – FOX 32 Chicago

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A Chicago rideshare driver says a routine package delivery turned into a frightening ordeal when she realized the item in her car contained drugs.
CHICAGO – What started as a routine delivery on the city’s Northwest Side quickly escalated into a police investigation and a personal crisis for a veteran rideshare driver who says she unknowingly transported a package containing drugs.
What we know:
Rosa, who says she has completed nearly 5,000 rides since 2019, including long-distance deliveries as far as Wisconsin, told investigators this was the first time she had ever encountered anything like it.
"It was just a normal pickup," Rosa said. "They didn’t care what it was. I just put it in the back seat and started driving."
According to Rosa, the pickup happened April 16 after 5 p.m. near Mulligan and Diversey. She says she was on a phone call when she rolled her windows up — then immediately noticed a strong odor coming from the package.
"That’s when I realized something wasn’t right," she said. "It was reeking bad."
Rosa says she originally believed she was transporting a package that appeared to contain gym shoes. But after police responded, officials say the box contained suspected narcotics, including marijuana and a pill, along with other items now part of the investigation.
Chicago Police confirmed officers recovered the package at the scene. No injuries were reported. Area Five Detectives are now handling the case.
Rosa says the situation escalated further mid-trip when she noticed the delivery instructions were changing.
"The person started telling me to take it somewhere else," she said. "And they were tracking my movement in the app."
She says she attempted to use Uber’s in-app safety feature during the incident but received no response.
"I pressed the safety button—nothing happened," Rosa said. "So I called police."
What’s next:
After the incident, Rosa was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Medical staff later determined she had not been exposed to any harmful substances.
But what happened next is what she says shocked her most.
Despite reporting the incident and cooperating with police, Rosa says her Uber account—previously rated at 4.9—was blocked. She also says she was told her account is now under investigation.
"They have everything," she said. "The police report, the recordings, everything. And I still can’t drive."
Rosa says she relied on the platform for daily income.
"That was my everyday thing—gas, food, everything," she said. "Now I’m just stuck wondering what to do next."
Rosa says her account is restored with conditions. She must get her breaks fixed, oil changed, and make sure her car is fully up-to-date and then she can do Uber Eats and delivery. 
Rosa said this was not required before this incident.
An Uber spokesperson said:
"We’re alarmed by this report. Any use of the Uber platform for illegal activity is strictly prohibited, and the rider has been banned from the platform. We’ll assist police however we can in their investigation."
Here is more information, on background. Feel free to use in summary (not for direct quote): 
The Chicago Police Department's investigation remains ongoing. Uber does have strict rules according to their site for Uber Courier deliveries. They will investigate based on their handbook and will cooperate with police.
The Source: This story contains reporting from Fox Chicago’s Tia Ewing.
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