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Sept. 20, 2019 By Allie Griffin
An off-duty NYPD officer was charged Wednesday with selling and possessing cocaine for allegedly moonlighting as security for dealers transporting cocaine in Astoria and Maspeth this month.
Ishmael Bailey, 36, took money from an undercover officer posing as a dealer in exchange for his security services to transport cocaine on two different instances, according to the acting Queens District Attorney.
On Aug. 27, Bailey met with the undercover cop who he believed to be a drug dealer and the two discussed transporting drugs within the borough, according to the charges. He agreed to provide security as cocaine was transported from one area in Queens to another and was to be paid in cash for each kilo of cocaine he secured.
On Sept. 4, Bailey met with the “dealer” in Astoria and was paid $2,500 to provide security during the transportation of a duffle bag with 3 kilos of cocaine inside— one real, two fake, from Astoria to a parking lot in College Point, according to the complaint.
Again on Sept. 12, Bailey met with the same undercover officer in Astoria and was given $10,000 cash to pick up 2 kilos of cocaine from a location in Maspeth. Bailey met with a second individual at the designated meeting spot and gave him cash in exchange for two packages of cocaine — one real, one fake, according to the charges.
“The defendant – a 12-year-veteran of the police department – took an oath to enforce the law. Today, sadly, he is accused of taking part in an illicit drug operation,” said Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan. “This kind of malfeasance will not be tolerated.”
The 12 -year veteran of the NYPD was charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree bribe receiving and official misconduct. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
“When an individual officer intentionally tarnishes the shield worn proudly by thousands before him, he will be held to the highest account the law provides,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, thanking the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for their investigation.
Bailey was arraigned Wednesday night in Queens Criminal Court, where he was held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail.
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4 Comments
U just made it bad for brothers with marked past to get on the force.
in order to be a cop you have to have a clean background that is the truth.
No it is not . The last few cops arrested had a marked past because a Brooklyn or Bronx jury said not guilty means they weren’t right?? The 1981 judge banks ruling eliminated having a squeaky clean record for nyc anyway.
Nope your wrong federal court decree and equal opportunity guidelines say u cant discriminate. As long as your not convicted of a Felony.