Prosecutors: Melville man at center of major narcotics takedown in Riverhead

Prosecutors say a Melville man was the ringleader of a major drug trafficking ring in Riverhead that was taken down Thursday.

News 12 Staff

Aug 5, 2021, 7:26 PM

Updated 1,222 days ago

Share:

Prosecutors say a Melville man was the ringleader of a major drug trafficking ring in Riverhead that was taken down Thursday.
News 12 is told five people were involved in the drug trafficking.
The alleged ringleader is identified as 26-year-old Robert Johnson.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini says Johnson allegedly shot and killed a 25-year-old man in New York City on June 10.
The Suffolk County Police Department was able to work with the NYPD to identify and apprehend Johnson within two days of the alleged murder. "He's now facing murder charges in New York City in addition to being charged here as a major narcotics trafficker,” says Sini. Sini says they have video evidence showing Johnson continuing to sell narcotics even after the murder. He says Johnson oversaw a one-stop shop delivery service and would personally drive products to buyers’ houses.
His co-conspirators are each alleged to have assisted Johnson in some capacity.
Officials say they seized nearly 6 kilograms of narcotics in three cars, including Johnson’s, and in four residents' homes.
The district attorney says the narcotics seized have a street value of $500,000.
The suspect was indicted in New York for murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was arraigned on the charges on June 28 and was remanded without bail.
Today, he was arraigned on the drug ring indictment. 
Johnson faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life if convicted on the charges. He also faces a maximum sentence of 25 to life for the charges in Suffolk County.
He is currently being held on a $1 million bail or $2 million bond.
The suspect is due back in court on Sept. 14.