An ex-New York Police officer was arrested in October for allegedly trafficking heroin and fentanyl while on duty and has been indicted, marking a significant development in the case.
Grace Rosa Baez, alongside accomplice Cesar Martinez from Yonkers, faces charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and distribution of drugs, as announced by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York.
according to court papers.Instagram @graciela_rose
The indictment, filed on March 20 in Manhattan federal court, alleges that between October 9 and October 19, Baez, 37, and Martinez, 42, attempted to sell narcotics to a federal informant. Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas in response to the charges.
According to court documents, Baez, who served as a police officer since 2012, provided a sample of what she claimed was “top-quality” fentanyl in a Mentos candy container to the informant.
She then offered to sell a kilogram of heroin for $25,000 and 800 grams of fentanyl, with pricing to be determined later based on purity.
Despite her tenure with the NYPD, Baez resigned following her arrest. Presently, she is under house arrest with electronic monitoring, while Martinez remains in custody without bail, per court documents.
The indictment underscores the seriousness of the charges and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.
Instances like these raise concerns about maintaining integrity and accountability within police departments.
The case highlights the challenges in ensuring the integrity of law enforcement agencies and the need for robust measures to prevent and address misconduct.
As legal proceedings unfold, the pursuit of justice remains paramount for authorities.
As the case progresses through the judicial system, the outcome will have implications for efforts to combat drug trafficking and uphold the rule of law. Both defendants await their day in court as law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the alleged crimes.
