Police Officer Charged With Dealing Cocaine In Queens, Officials Say

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — A police officer has been arrested for selling cocaine, prosecutors said Friday.

Jose Sierra, who worked out of the NYPD's Housing Bureau Patrol Service Area 7 in the Bronx, and civilian Lina Maria Bedoya Muriel were arrested Thursday around 6 p.m., officials said. They face charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia.

An undercover investigator bought drugs from Sierra and Bedoya Muriel on two occasions, according to Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. Sierra was off-duty during the sales, officials said.

The first transaction took place on May 16, when the undercover investigator purchased 10 packs of cocaine for $160, according to the criminal complaint. The second buy took place on May 23, when the investigator bought 12 packets of cocaine for $200. Both transactions occurred at 38th Avenue and 11 Street in Long Island City, according to officials.

Investigators searched the pair's car Wednesday in Flushing and found 54 packs of cocaine, officials said. A second search executed in the basement of the apartment at 24-18 89 St. revealed 125 grams of cocaine and a pistol registered to Sierra. More than four ounces of cocaine were recovered altogether, officials said.

“Sierra has disgraced the badge and violated the oath he took as a police officer when he crossed the line to the other side and began distributing narcotics,” said special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New York Angel Melendez.

“HSI will remain steadfast in its commitment to arrest all those who flood our streets with dangerous drugs.”

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