(WNY News Now) – A serving NYPD officer on modified duty, and her co-defendant have been arrested and charged with conspiring to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl and heroin, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams.

NYC – In a recent development, an NYPD officer, Grace Rosa Baez, has been charged with conspiring to distribute significant quantities of narcotics, including the highly lethal substances fentanyl and heroin. Baez, alongside her co-defendant Cesar Martinez, is accused of engaging in this illicit trade from at least October 9, 2023, until their arrest on October 19, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, along with FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith and NYPD Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, expressed their concern and commitment to bring those responsible to justice.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that Baez had taken an oath to protect and serve the people of New York City but had allegedly “flagrantly violated that oath” by peddling narcotics responsible for numerous tragic deaths in the city. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies would relentlessly pursue those involved in the distribution of these deadly substances.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith highlighted the serious nature of Baez and Martinez’s actions, which directly violated Baez’s duty to protect and serve the community. Smith emphasized that the FBI, along with other law enforcement partners, would continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone endangering the community through narcotics sales.

NYPD Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban expressed deep concern, emphasizing that there is no room for corruption within the NYPD. If found guilty, Baez will have tarnished both the badge she wore and the sacred oath she swore to the people of New York City.

The charges filed against Baez and Martinez reveal a disturbing pattern of behavior. They allegedly had numerous conversations with a confidential source (CS) working with law enforcement about wholesale narcotics trafficking, offering to sell kilogram quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. For instance, on October 11, 2023, Baez offered to sell the CS two kilograms of fentanyl for $30,000 per kilogram, along with an additional 400 grams of heroin. On October 16, 2023, Baez provided the CS with a sample of fentanyl.

The illicit activities continued on October 17, 2023, when Baez handed the CS a sample of heroin. Martinez then contacted the CS and negotiated the sale of approximately one kilogram of heroin and 800 grams of fentanyl, with plans to have cocaine available in the following weeks. On October 19, 2023, Baez and the CS met to complete the narcotics transaction, leading to their arrest. Law enforcement also discovered additional suspected narcotics inside the apartment shared by Baez and Martinez.

Baez, who had been employed as a police officer with the NYPD since around 2012, was placed on modified duty in 2020 following accusations of misconduct. Despite being on modified duty, she allegedly engaged in narcotics trafficking activities while on duty, further tarnishing the reputation of the NYPD.

Both Baez and Martinez face serious charges. Count One charges them with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, carrying a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Counts Two and Three pertain to narcotics distribution, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

It is important to note that the charges in the complaint are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten overseeing the prosecution.