Former NYPD officer allegedly organized fentanyl and heroin deals while on duty
October 23, 2023 12:02 PM
An ex-New York City Police Department officer was taken into custody on Thursday and now faces allegations that she negotiated deals for the purchase of fentanyl and heroin while working.
Grace Rosa Baez, 37, is charged with three counts of narcotics distribution and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, according to a report citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
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Baez had worked for the NYPD since 2012 before resigning, according to a police spokesperson.
Cesar Martinez, 43, is facing the same charges as Baez, the report noted.
“BAEZ and MARTINEZ offered to sell … kilogram quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine,” according to prosecutors.
Filings by the prosecution allege that Baez and Martinez worked together from Oct. 9 to Thursday to organize and negotiate deals to obtain drugs, the report noted.
The pair was discovered via a confidential source working with law enforcement.
On Oct. 11, Baez told the informant she could facilitate the sale of 2 kilograms of fentanyl for an estimated $30,000 per kilogram, along with 400 grams of heroin for an added price, prosecutors said.
Eventually, Baez met with the police source in Yonkers, where the former delivered a candy container filled with heroin.
Following the arrest of the ex-officer, law enforcement entered the apartment shared by Baez and Martinez and found “a package of suspected narcotics being thrown from inside the apartment to outside the apartment,” according to the prosecution.
“Inside the apartment, law enforcement discovered a kilogram press machine, as well as additional suspected narcotics that MARTINEZ had apparently attempted to throw outside.”
It was also determined that Baez had negotiated the deals while she was on duty, according to the report.
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“Grace Rosa Baez took an oath to protect and serve the people of New York City,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said.
“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.”