Pizza Deliveryman Accused of Selling $40K in Cocaine, Hiding Drug in Pizza Boxes

Pizza Deliveryman Accused of Selling $40K in Cocaine, Hiding Drug in Pizza Boxes

A Papa John's delivery man has been arrested for allegedly selling more than $40,000 in cocaine hidden in pizza boxes to undercover police officers he met near his home and outside the Brooklyn restaurant where he works, prosecutors said.

Ramon Rodriguez, 45, was charged Wednesday with multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Prosecutors say Rodriguez allegedly sold cocaine to undercover officers 19 times since the fall of 2011.

He was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly sold $27,500 worth of cocaine hidden in a bag with pizza and chicken nuggets to an undercover officer outside the Fifth Avenue store where he works in Sunset Park.

Rodriguez often wore his Papa John's uniform when he sold the drugs, prosecutors said. Authorities found $4,500 in cash and drug paraphernalia, including a scale and packaging material, during a search of his home.

Prosecutors say a small bag of cocaine was also recovered from his car.

A second suspect, Jonathan Martinez, was also arrested Wednesday in connection with the drug dealing. Prosecutors say Martinez, 28, sold 40 grams of cocaine for $1,200 to an undercover officer in November 2011; Rodriguez allegedly set up the meeting.

Information on attorneys for the suspects wasn't available.

Calls to Papa John's were not immediately returned.