Uber driver delivered more than just food, DAs say

A Lawrence man used his Uber car for several months to sell and deliver heroin in the Boston area, prosecutors in Suffolk and Essex counties charge

Ariel Pimental, 26, was arraigned yesterday on a variety of charges, including heroin distribution and heroin trafficking, in South Boston Municipal Court, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports, adding Pimental was arraigned after being arrested in possession of more than 20 grams of heroin on Tuesday on Congress Street in the Seaport district.

Pimental had bail set at $60,000 and was ordered to wear a GPS device, hand over his passport and stay at home should he post bail.

According to the DA's office:

The investigation began this summer, when the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit received information that an Uber driver - later identified as Pimental - was distributing heroin in and around the Boston area. After making contact with Pimental by phone, undercover troopers made six controlled purchases from him through the fall.

On Nov. 14, following those sales, a Suffolk Superior Court judge approved search warrants for Pimental’s residence and the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe with livery plates in which Pimental had allegedly conducted the transactions. At about 2:00 that afternoon, State Police stopped the Tahoe on Congress Street. They placed him under arrest for the earlier sales, searched the vehicle, and recovered three bags of heroin totaling approximately 22 grams.

Pimental faces arraignment on separate heroin charges in Essex County after Lawrence and State Police found 26 grams of heroin at his house there, prosecutors say.

Innocent, etc.