Ex-Miami officer who stole cash and drugs during traffic stops sentenced to 11+ years

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A former Miami police officer who used traffic stops to steal money and drugs was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in prison on Tuesday, NBC affiliate WTVJ reports .

Frenel Cenat, 41, who started as a Miami police officer in September 2008 and in 2020 had worked for the property and evidence unit, was arrested by the FBI in November of 2023.

A source told law enforcement Cenat was conducting traffic stops on individuals known to engage in drug trafficking so he could steal drugs and money from them.

The source said they were introduced to Cenat through a mutual friend, and during the introduction, the trio discussed how Cenat could stop individuals after a drug deal and steal approximately $50,000 in drug proceeds.

According to the Department of Justice, Cenat was using an unmarked Miami Police Department Ford Explorer as a “take home” vehicle at the time of the crimes.

On Nov. 1, 2023, the trio planned for the traffic stop rip-off on Nov. 3. Cenat told the group he would scare the driver into believing they were being investigated for some time to make the driver more likely to comply.

On Nov. 3, in a hotel parking lot in Miami Gardens, Cenat witnessed a staged drug transaction, after which he followed a driver who had just received $52,000 in cash in a backpack.

Unbeknownst to Cenat, the drivers were undercover FBI agents.

Cenat introduced himself as “Officer Martez” and gave the undercover agent the choice of giving him the backpack or going to jail. The agent gave Cenat the backpack.

Later that month, Cenat asked the source to set up another traffic stop scheme where he could get seven to 10 kilograms of cocaine.

On Nov. 16, 2023, Cenat stopped another undercover agent following a staged drug deal where he again identified as “Officer Martez” with the “Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Narcotics Unit.”

After taking seven kilograms of fake cocaine and around $80,000, Cenat told the undercover agent that he now worked for Cenat unless he wanted to go to federal prison.

Shortly after leaving with the fake cocaine and cash, Cenat was arrested by law enforcement.

Cenat faced a minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of up to life in prison, authorities said.

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