Former NYPD Officer Arrested for Conspiracy and Narcotics Distribution in the Bronx

On Thursday, a shocking arrest took place in the Bronx as a former New York City police department officer was taken into custody on charges of selling fentanyl and heroin. The officer, identified as Grace Rosa Baez, 37, had allegedly been engaging in these illegal activities while on duty in the Bronx. The charges brought against Baez include conspiracy and three counts of narcotics distribution, as stated by prosecutors from New York's southern federal district.

According to a statement released on Friday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Grace Rosa Baez had been actively involved in negotiating drug deals while working as an officer. It was revealed that she had been employed with the NYPD since 2012. The severity of her crimes became evident as she faced charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, along with three counts of narcotics distribution.

Following her arrest, Baez resigned from her position as an officer, making a public statement that further tarnished the reputation of the NYPD. The spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed this on Sunday. However, the shocking revelations did not end there. It was discovered that Baez had been living with a man named Cesar Martinez, 43, in an apartment in Yonkers. Martinez, too, was found to be involved in the same criminal activities as Baez and faced identical charges.

The investigation revealed the extent of Baez and Martinez's involvement in the illegal drug trade. Prosecutors alleged that between October 9 and the day of their arrest, the duo had engaged in multiple conversations with a confidential informant who had been working with law enforcement. The confidential source had been tasked with obtaining drugs at negotiated prices, and Baez and Martinez were more than willing to oblige.

In one specific instance, Baez offered to sell two kilograms of fentanyl for $30,000 per kilogram, along with an additional 400 grams of heroin, the price of which would be negotiated later. These conversations took place on October 11, and on the following Monday, Baez personally handed a plastic candy container to the confidential informant, claiming it contained the fentanyl. Subsequent testing revealed that the substance was, in fact, heroin.

The investigation took a dramatic turn when law enforcement officers went to the apartment Baez and Martinez shared. While they were there, they observed a package of suspected narcotics being thrown from inside the apartment to the outside. Upon further inspection, a kilogram press machine and additional suspected narcotics were found inside the apartment. It appeared that Martinez had attempted to discard the evidence.

The prosecution also highlighted the alarming fact that Baez had been negotiating drug deals while on duty. This included discussions about where to meet for drug sales, negotiating prices and quality of fentanyl, and making arrangements for delivering the drugs. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, expressed his disappointment and condemnation of Baez's actions, emphasizing the devastating impact of fentanyl and heroin on communities.

It was revealed that Baez had faced accusations of misconduct in 2020, prompting the NYPD to initiate an investigation. As a result, she was placed on modified duty and later assigned to modified desk duty. However, these measures were not enough to prevent her from continuing her criminal activities.

The arrest of Grace Rosa Baez serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to exploit their positions of authority for personal gain. As the case unfolds, it is expected that further details will emerge, shedding light on the full extent of Baez and Martinez's involvement in the drug trade and the consequences they may face for their actions.