Berlin police stop driver of suspected 'cocaine taxi' after phone use at the wheel

Berlin police stopped the driver of a suspected "cocaine taxi", a delivery service for drugs, after they saw him using a mobile phone while driving, the news agency dpa reports, citing police. The stop took place at night in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district.

According to police, officers found a bag with eight small containers in the 23-year-old's jacket. The containers apparently held cocaine. They also found banknotes in denominations typical of the drug scene, police said.

A check gave indications of possible drug dealing. On the order of the public prosecutor's office, the car was then searched. Officers found a flyer for a "cocaine taxi", pepper spray, a golf club, a second mobile phone and cash. The golf club was in the boot.

The man was taken into custody but was later released. Investigators are examining whether he is guilty of illegal drug dealing involving weapons. He is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise.

Police also noted a similar case from April, when the driver of another suspected "cocaine taxi" was noticed because of a phone at the wheel. In that case, officers found various drugs packed in small portions in a sports bag, as well as phones and cash. Berlin police say they investigate such drug delivery services fairly often.