NYPD officer on security detail for El Chapo's wife during drug kingpin's trial arrested in Queens for dealing cocaine
An NYPD officer who provided security for El Chapo's wife has been busted for dealing cocaine in Queens.
Law enforcement sources told the New York Post how 36-year-old officer, Ishmael Bailey, escorted Emma Coronel Aispuro, wife of the notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, to his sentencing hearing at the Brooklyn federal court in July.
According to The Post, Bailey was seen in a video from the scene wearing a black suit and dark shades as he helped Aispuro exit a black SUV. The kingpin's wife showed up to the courtroom every day of El Chapo's drug trafficking trial in chic clothing and designer sunglasses.
That said, Bailey was apprehended Wednesday for allegedly providing security twice when a load of cocaine was transported from various locations around Queens, leading to charges of conspiracy and sale of a controlled substance.
Officers with the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the Queens District Attorney’s office also charged Bailey with possession of a controlled substance, bribe receiving and official misconduct.
Assistant District Attorney Karlton Jarrett revealed during Bailey's arraignment Wednesday night in Queens Criminal Court that prosecutors “alleged [Bailey] provided security for El Chapo’s wife during El Chapo’s [drug-trafficking] trial,” which took place this year in Brooklyn federal court.”
According to police, Bailey served as security personnel for El Chapo's wife in addition to his job in the NYPD. Sources told The Post that IAB investigators began probing him when they noticed him providing trial security to Aispuro, but it's still unclear who paid him for the detail.
At his brief arraignment, Bailey couldn't hold back his tears as a judge sentenced him to prison on a $50,000 bond and $25,000 cash bail.
The 12-year veteran reportedly met with an undercover cop who was posing as a drug dealer on August 27, prosecutors told the court. As they talked, Bailey agreed to provide security as the cocaine was moved around the borough.
On September 4, Bailey met with the same undercover officer in Astoria, where prosecutors said he held open a duffel bag to receive three packages—one a kilo of cocaine and two fake packages.
As compensation, Bailey received $2,500 before the bag was transported to a parking lot in College Point, Queens, where it was received by another undercover cop.
Then, on September 12, Bailey agreed to provide his security services once again for the same undercover officer for $10,000 and subsequently picked up two kilos of cocaine from Maspeth, Queens.
Bailey faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the aforementioned charges.