A police officer is sounding the alarm about a dangerous trick reportedly being used by some taxi and ride-share drivers.
The cop. who goes by the handle @police_g0tur6, uses his TikTok platform feed to share safety tips with his 1112.5K followers.
In a recent viral video, he warned viewers about what he called a “new danger” that riders need to take seriously.
"All the women and teens out there that take Ubers and taxis everywhere, this was made aware of a new danger that's going on. You might want to listen up," he told viewers before diving into the advice.
The Water Bottle Trick: Explained
According to @police_g0tur6, reports are surfacing of drivers offering passengers bottles of water as soon as they get in the car. The issue? Some of those bottles may have been tampered with.
"A lot of times, what they've done is they have taken a needle and they have injected the bottle with just a little bit of fentanyl or whatever it is they decide to use to try to make you lethargic and or knock you out of some type," he said.
Because of this, he has advised people not to accept any food or drinks the moment they arrive. "Because right now, nowadays, it's just not safe. And you don't know if they blazed it with something. And again, they can put it in with a needle," he added.
If you’re extremely thirsty and feel you have no choice, he suggests squeezing the bottle. If anything leaks, he says that’s a sign somebody may have injected the bottle with something.
He then concluded: "So my best advice is, ladies and teens, if you're getting into a vehicle, And you don't know the person that is behind that wheel. Do not take any food or drink from them... I hope y'all take care and stay safe out there."
Social Media Reactions
Some viewers took to the comment section to share chilling experiences of their own.
"This happened to me and he got angry at me for not drinking the water he kept looking back to ask if I'm gonna drink it. I reported to cops," one user revealed.
Another chimed in: "A Uber drive offered me a candy…and insisted for me eat it…I asked to get out of the vehicle," while a third added: "Yes this guy offered me a bottle of water 3 times."
Some commenters offered their own safety advice, saying water and snacks aren’t the only things riders should avoid.
“Don’t use lotion, hand sanitizer, or anything that is offered,” one viewer advised. "Can you please add using a tissue and to wear gloves for opening the door and seatbelts etc," a second said.
"Not just water , chewing gum, mint, sweets , chocolate, tissue box, looks harmless but could be a trap, may God protect us," one more user noted.
Security experts say that a polite “no thanks” is enough and advise riders to bring their own sealed water if needed.
The goal isn’t to create fear around ride-sharing, but to encourage passengers to stay alert and make smart choices.