Metro bus driver accused of selling cocaine while on duty

A King County Metro bus driver who allegedly sold rock cocaine while on duty was arrested in South Seattle Wednesday after an undercover drug sting.

The 54-year-old driver, who lives in Seattle, was taken into custody shortly before noon by King County sheriff's deputies and Metro Transit police while he was driving Metro's Route 42 near South Leo Street and Beacon Avenue South.

The arrest came after an investigation lasting several weeks in which transit police made several undercover drug buys from the suspect. Some, but not all, of the buys were made aboard Metro buses, police said.

Though it is clear the man dealt crack while on his route, "We have no indication that he was selling to passengers at all," said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart said. Rather, customers who knew the man would meet him along his route and make their purchases.

Police said the investigation was triggered by a tip from another Metro employee.

Wednesday afternoon, investigators were searching the driver's home and anticipated booking him into the King County Jail.

"This is the first time I can recall a situation of this nature, and we employ 2,200 operators," said Metro spokeswoman Rochelle Ogershok.

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com

Seattle Times staff reporter Ian Ith contributed to this report.