A former New York City police officer found herself on the wrong side of the law, facing serious charges related to drug dealing.
Grace Rosa Baez, a 37-year-old Bronx resident who had been a member of the NYPD since 2012, was arrested last week and accused of selling fentanyl and heroin, with federal prosecutors claiming that she conducted drug deals while on the job.
The charges against Baez, which include conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as three counts of narcotics distribution, were announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
In a surprising development, Baez resigned following her arrest, as confirmed by a police spokesperson.
Cesar Martinez, a 43-year-old Yonkers resident who shared an apartment with Baez, faces identical charges in connection with the case.
Federal prosecutors allege that Baez and Martinez were involved in multiple discussions with a confidential source cooperating with law enforcement.
These conversations revolved around obtaining drugs at negotiated prices for the start.
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NYPD Officer Arrested for Drug Dealing
During the investigation period, which spanned from October 9 to the day of her arrest, Baez and Martinez offered to sell kilogram quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine to a confidential source, according to prosecutors.
For instance, on October 11, Baez reportedly informed the basis that she could sell 2 kilograms of fentanyl at $30,000 per kilogram, along with an additional 400 grams of heroin, with the price to be settled later.
Prosecutors noted that on a particular Monday, Baez met with the confidential source in Yonkers and handed over a plastic candy container, purportedly containing fentanyl.
However, the substance was later determined to be heroin after testing.
Further complicating the situation, following Baez’s arrest, law enforcement officers observed a package suspected to contain narcotics being tossed from inside the apartment she shared with Martinez to the exterior.
Inside the apartment, authorities discovered a kilogram press machine and additional suspected drugs that Martinez had tried to discard.
Notably, the allegations indicate that Baez was negotiating drug deals while on duty, with one instance occurring on October 11 when she discussed the location for drug sales.
On October 13, she negotiated the price and quality of fentanyl and arranged to deliver a sample to a confidential source. Just a day before her arrest, she discussed a final delivery.
US Attorney Damian Williams expressed his concerns about the case, stating, “Grace Rosa Baez took an oath to protect and serve the people of New York City.
As alleged, she flagrantly violated that oath by pushing poison, including fentanyl and heroin, which are driving the nation’s deadly opioid crisis and have been responsible for thousands of tragic deaths in the city and around the nation.”
The charges against Baez follow earlier accusations of misconduct in 2020. In response, the NYPD initiated an investigation into her actions, placing her on modified duty.
Before her resignation, Baez was assigned to modified desk duty this month, signaling a troubled conclusion to her law enforcement career.
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Source: NBC News
