A Miami cop was arrested by the FBI after being accused of stealing medicine and cash from suspects throughout site visitors stops – a few of whom turned out to be undercover brokers, in accordance with NBC Miami.
Frenel Cenat, 40, was arrested on Thursday on prices which embody tried Hobbs Act extortion, theft of presidency funds, and tried possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in accordance with the report, citing jail and court docket data.
Cenat, a Miami Police officer since September 2008, had labored for the property and proof unit since 2020. After a confidential supply tipped off the FBI to Cenat’s habits – conducting site visitors stops of individuals identified to have simply engaged in drug transactions, after which stealing the cash or medicine they have been transporting, they launched an investigation.
Cenat would use his official police car to conduct the site visitors stops and could be in his police uniform, the affidavit mentioned.
Cenat was recorded on video and audio “coordinating schemes and conducting site visitors stops of two people who he was instructed had simply engaged in drug transactions, with the intention of stealing the cash and/or medicine concerned in these unlawful transactions,” the affidavit mentioned. –NBC Miami
In response to the affidavit, Cenat admitted that he would pull the schemes whereas off responsibility and outdoors his jurisdiction.
“On responsibility they (MPD) received computer systems on and might monitor you and s— like that… what I imply…ping your telephone… what you might be doing on this space,” he mentioned, in accordance with the affidavit. “You do not wanna try this s— bro if you are on responsibility…If I work down there I’ll by no means f— down there bro.”
Cenat additionally described a number of prior incidents involving drug transactions wherein he coerced people to surrender their stash, cash, or each as a way to keep away from going to jail.
In October, he mentioned stopping an individual who had simply accomplished a drug deal, from whom he stole $50,000 – saying “I simply want bread now.”
Undercover brokers
On Nov. 3, two undercover FBI brokers purchased 3 kg of cocaine for $52,000 in Miami Gardens, after Cenat organized to steal from considered one of them, in accordance with the affidavit.
As one left, Cenat adopted and stopped them, recognized himself as “Officer Martez” with “Miami PD – Dade County Narcotics Unit” and instructed them he’d witnessed the drug transaction, the affidavit mentioned.
Cenat gave the spy the selection of giving him a backpack containing the money or going to jail, and the agent gave him the bag, the affidavit mentioned.
After that incident, the informant and Cenat mentioned one other theft scheduled for Nov. 16 wherein somebody could be stopped with 6 or 7 kilos of cocaine and no less than $30,000 in money in Deerfield Seashore, the affidavit mentioned. -NBC Miami
In response to the affidavit, Cenat mentioned he would give the cocaine to the informant and his affiliate to promote, and they’d break up the cash.
On Nov. 16, the FBI staged one other pretend drug transaction. Cenat took the bait, following an spy and pulling them over. He launched himself to the agent as “Officer Martez” with the “Broward County Sheriff’s Workplace Narcotics Unit,” then took a duffel bag containing $80,000 in money and roughly 7 kilos of DEA prop medicine.
“You wish to go residence tonight or spend 30 years in …federal jail?” Cenat requested the officer, earlier than demanding his telephone quantity.
“You now work for me,” he continued. “After I name…you higher reply.”
“If I name you and you do not reply…I am coming for you,” he continued.
Cenat later met wit the informant in Coral Springs to separate the bounty, when the FBI appeared and arrested him.
“The Miami Police Division is dedicated to working with our legislation enforcement companions to make sure the integrity of our company is past reproach. The arrest of Officer Cenat is the results of a joint operation targeted on figuring out corrupt cops, and it’s an instance of the repercussions when considered one of our personal betrays their oath of workplace and tarnishes their badge,” in accordance with Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales.
“I stand firmly dedicated to transparency and making certain the group’s belief is upheld all through this investigation.”
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