Federal prosecutors say a Bronx female NYPD officer, Grace Rosa Baez, and a Yonkers man, Cesar Martinez, who are romantic partners, have been busted and charged with attempting to traffic fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Both were arrested on Thursday, Oct. 19, and were presented on Friday, Oct. 20, before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in Manhattan federal court.

Damian Williams, U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Smith, assistant director in charge of the FBI New York field office, and NYPD Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban made the announcement on Friday, Oct. 20, after the filing of a complaint in Manhattan federal, charging both defendants.

In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “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 this city and around the nation.” He continued, “My Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those peddling these deadly poisons – no matter who they are.”

As alleged in the complaint filed, from at least on or about Oct. 9, through on or about Oct. 19, Baez and Martinez allegedly had numerous conversations with a confidential source (the “CS”) who was working with law enforcement regarding wholesale narcotics trafficking. In particular, during those discussions, Baez and Martinez allegedly offered to sell the CS kilogram quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

The court heard that, for example, on or about Oct. 11, Baez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that she could sell the CS two kilograms of fentanyl for $30,000 per kilogram, that she could sell the CS an additional 400 grams of heroin with pricing to be negotiated later, and she allegedly further agreed to provide the CS with a sample of the fentanyl.

According to the prosecution, Baez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that the fentanyl was top quality and allegedly directed that the CS meet her on or about Oct. 16, to obtain a sample of the drugs available for sale.

Federal prosecutors said that on or about Oct. 16, Baez and the CS allegedly met in Yonkers, near Baez and Martinez’s shared apartment. During the meeting, Baez allegedly handed the CS a plastic candy container and indicated that the fentanyl sample was inside. As seen in the attached photos below, the bottle contained a small, clear bag filled with a white powdery substance, which was later tested and confirmed to contain fentanyl.

The court heard that on or about Oct. 17, Baez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that she had a sample of heroin ready for the CS and allegedly asked the CS to meet her in Yonkers. During their meeting, Baez allegedly handed the CS a clear plastic bag filled with a white powdery substance, which was later tested and confirmed to contain heroin.

According to federal prosecutors, Baez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that she had additional heroin available for sale and that she would provide the CS’s phone number to her boyfriend, Martinez. They said that later that day, on or about Oct. 17, Martinez allegedly called the CS and negotiated the sale of around one kilogram of heroin, and 800 grams of fentanyl.

They said that Martinez allegedly further stated, in substance and in part, that he would have cocaine for sale in the following weeks. Later in the evening on or about Oct. 17, Martinez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that on or about Oct. 19, Martinez and Baez could sell the CS one kilogram of heroin for approximately $25,000 and an additional 800 grams of fentanyl with pricing to be negotiated later. Martinez allegedly directed the CS to test the purity of the fentanyl and then pay Baez and Martinez based on the quality of the fentanyl.

The court heard that on or about Oct. 18, Baez and Martinez allegedly continued to discuss narcotics transactions with the CS, including negotiations over pricing. Baez and Martinez allegedly told the CS, in substance and in part, that they would also sell the CS approximately 400 grams of a lesser-quality heroin and an additional sample of fentanyl.

In addition, according to court filed papers, on or about Oct. 19, the CS and Baez allegedly met in Yonkers to complete the narcotics transaction. Baez allegedly handed the CS packages containing suspected narcotics, including what appeared to be one kilogram of suspected heroin, which was labeled “#1”; 400 grams of suspected heroin, which was labeled “400”; 640 grams of suspected fentanyl, which was labeled “640 Manzana”; and an additional, separate sample of suspected fentanyl, as seen in the attached photo.

According to federal prosecutors, after Baez was arrested, members of law enforcement approached Baez and Martinez’s shared apartment and observed a package of suspected narcotics being thrown from inside the apartment to outside the apartment. Inside the apartment, law enforcement discovered a kilogram press machine, as well as additional suspected narcotics that Martinez had apparently attempted to throw outside.

Up to the date of her arrest, prosecutors said Baez had been employed as a police officer with the NYPD, having begun her employment with the department in or about 2012. In or about 2020, following accusations of misconduct, they said the NYPD began to investigate her and she was ultimately placed on modified duty. As of October 2023, they said during her participation in selling kilogram quantities of narcotics, Baez was assigned to modified desk duty at a particular NYPD facility.

According to NYPD online records, she had been assigned at one point to Police Service Area 6, serving 18 New York City Housing Authority developments within the confines of the 24th, 26th, and 32nd precincts in north Manhattan. According to her file, part of her most recent completed training in October 2023 covered Patrol Guide 215-17 “Police Actions Related to Questioning Arrests and Investigations at an NYC Department.”

Prosecutors said Baez allegedly engaged in some of the above-described offense conduct while on duty. For example, they said that she was on duty: (i) on or about Oct. 11, when she allegedly communicated with the CS regarding where to meet to discuss the drug sales; (ii) on or about Oct. 13, when she allegedly negotiated the price and quality of the fentanyl and allegedly arranged to deliver a sample of fentanyl to the CS; and (iii) on or about Oct. 18, when Baez allegedly negotiated the final delivery with the CS.

Baez, 37, of The Bronx and Martinez, 43, of Yonkers are charged in count one with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin and in counts two, three, and four with narcotics distribution. Counts one and four carry a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Counts two and three carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided for informational purposes only. Any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Williams praised what he described as the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD. The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten is in charge of the prosecution.

The defendants are deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.