SOUTHBRIDGE — On Tuesday, July 7, 2026,  at approximately 2:46 a.m., officers with the Southbridge Police Department were dispatched to the area of Cohasse Street following a report that a passenger of an Uber was refusing the leave the vehicle.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, when officers arrived on scene, they located the passenger, later identified as Giovanni Taboado, unconscious in the back seat of the Uber. Police immediately checked on Taboado’s welfare and removed him from the vehicle safely.
The Southbridge Police Department reported that during the encounter, police recovered a large quantity of suspected narcotics packaged for distribution, including approximately 68 grams of fentanyl, 19 grams of Suboxone, powder and crack cocaine, and prescription medications. Police also seized a digital scale and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, while Taboado was being booked, officers determined that he had initially provided a false name. Further investigation confirmed his identity and revealed that he was wanted on two outstanding Superior Court warrants involving firearm and drug trafficking charges.
Giovanni Taboado, 28, of Cohasse Street in Southbridge, was charged with the following: trafficking more than 10 grams of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute Class B drug, subsequent offense (crack cocaine); possession with intent to distribute Class B drug, subsequent offense (Suboxone); possession with intent to distribute Class B drug, subsequent offense (cocaine); possession of Class E drug (amoxicillin); and furnishing a false name.
Taboado was scheduled to be arraigned in Dudley District Court.
